Cessna 177 Cardinal, N29533: Accident occurred December 27, 2015 in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California

http://registry.faa.govN29533

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Sacramento FSDO-25

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA091
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, December 27, 2015 in Grass Valley, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/14/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 177, registration: N29533
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that he flew the airport traffic pattern to final approach. While on final approach, the pilot trimmed the airplane to a nose-high pitch attitude and his view of the runway was obscured. The pilot reported that he believed the airplane's airspeed dropped below the aerodynamic stall speed and the airplane yawed to the left. When the airplane touched down on the runway, the pilot reported that the airplane veered left, he applied full power in an attempt to abort the landing. The airplane continued to veer left, exited the left side of the runway and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, right horizontal stabilizer and right elevator.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's loss of directional control during the touchdown and the subsequent attempted aborted landing which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.