NTSB Factual Report

On June 26, 2007, at 0710 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N47RH, veered off of the runway at Fresno Chandler Airport, Fresno, California, and collided with obstacles. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area instructional flight. The flight departed Sierra Sky Park Airport, Fresno, California, at 0630.

According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was for a flight review. They landed at Fresno Chandler Airport and taxied back for departure uneventfully. The CFI requested that the pilot perform a soft-field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the CFI felt "something happen on the right, like a flat tire." The airplane began veering to the left. The CFI allowed the pilot to fly the airplane and the airplane then impacted lights and a sign on the runway's left side. The airplane then went to the right, where it came to a stop off of the runway. During the accident sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed after impacting a sign.

The pilot was interviewed via telephone following the accident. He and the CFI landed at the airport about 0655 and taxied for departure. During the soft-field takeoff, he heard something unusual and the CFI indicated that he might have a flat tire on the right side. The airplane veered to the left and the right main gear contacted a sign which resulted in it retracting. After hitting the sign, the airplane turned to the right and went off the runway. Following the accident, the airplane was put on jacks and the right landing gear was pulled down and locked into position.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site. Looking at the runway surface, he noted no nosewheel track on the runway and skid marks to the right side. The airplane collided with one taxiway light and one sign. During the collision with these obstacles, the right main collapsed. The right main landing gear tire was found intact and in an inflated condition. Following the accident, a local aviation maintenance technician (AMT) positioned the right main landing gear to the down-and-locked position. The airplane was towed to the ramp area.

The pilot would not allow further access to the airplane following the accident so no further examinations took place.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.