Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during the landing, the aircraft began to porpoise. He added power in an attempt to execute a go-around. After adding power, he lost directional control of the aircraft, and the aircraft impacted a ditch on the left side of the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 5, 1993, at about 0925 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N29499 was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a landing attempt at Fulton County Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The aircraft departed Peachtree City, Georgia at about 0830, and was enroute to Atlanta, Georgia at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he landed hard and the aircraft bounced. He stated that the aircraft began to porpoise, and he added full power in a go-around attempt. The aircraft veered off to the left, and impacted a ditch on the left side of the runway. -