# Accident 20031009024959A: Cessna 177B, Chinook, MT, October 9, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 9, 2003, 16:45 local time
- Place: Chinook, MT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 48.5103° N, 109.2742° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5103&lon=-109.2742&mi=10
- Aircraft: N30921, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30921-2018-01-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 177B (registry code 2073708, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Reported engine: LYC O360*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 995 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA04FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA003) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031009024959A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AFTER DEPARTING GREAT FALLS (GTF), MONTANA, FOR POPLAR (42S), MONTANA, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM GTF FLIGHT SERVICE STATION FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 15,000 FEET. THE BLAINE COUNTY UNDERSHERIFF REPORTED STRONG, GUSTY WINDS IN THE CHINOOK (S71), MONTANA, AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE SURVIVOR STATED THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT, N30921, CONTACTED THE TOP OF A COTTONWOOD TREE WHILE MANEUVERING FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A DIRT COUNTY ROAD. IT CONTACTED THE HARD-PACKED ROAD 98 FEET FROM THE TREE THAT WAS HIT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN AN APPROXIMATE 40 DEGREE NOSE-DOWN ANGLE WHEN THE PROPELLER SPINNER CONTACTED THE ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED 10 FEET FROM IMPACT MARKS BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE CABIN, COCKPIT, AND INBOARD PORTIONS OF BOTH WINGS WERE CONSUMED BY A POST-CRASH FIRE. SEE ATTACHED DRAWINGS FOR DETAILS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA04FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA003), Oct 9, 2003: Cessna 177B (N30921), Chinook, MT, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to the separation of the carburetor from its mounting bolts, and the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for strong crosswinds while…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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