# Accident 20050226002459A: Cessna 177RG, Fargo, ND, February 26, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 26, 2005, 14:00 local time
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Airport: Hector International
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.9206° N, 96.8158° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8158&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1623H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1623H-2008-08-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 177RG (registry code 2073709, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D (registry code 41593, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Reported engine: LYC IO360A1B6
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI05CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA074) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050226002459A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON 2/26/2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 1400 CST, A CESSNA 177RG, OWNED BY TRIP AIR, INC. AND FLOWN BY ^PRIVACY DATA OMI^ WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A VFR FLIGHT FROM FARGO, ND TO ST. LOUIS, MO FOR WHICH NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE WEATHER AT THE SCENE WAS REPORTED TO BE CLEAR SKIES, 6 STATUTE MILES IN HAZE, WIND 160 DEGREES AT 30 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED AN ENGINE PROBLEM AFTER TAKEOFF AND SUBSEQUENTLY THAT HE HAD LOST THE ENGINE AND WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT HIT A LIGHTPOST AND CRASHED 375' LATER ON A WESTERLY HEADING IN A FARGO, ND RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AFTER IMPACTING TWO VEHICLES. THE PILOT AND HIT PASSENGER WERE BOTH HOSPITALIZED AND RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE SITE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A LARGE HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE CASE AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A POTENTIAL LEAK AROUND THE OIL FILTER AND NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. A THOROUGH INSPECTION WAS LATER CONDUCTED ON 3/1/2005 BY AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS FROM THE FARGO FSDO AND A CESSNA SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE. THE OIL FILTER RUBBER GASKET WAS FOUND INCORRECTLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE LOSS OF OIL AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE.

## 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 CHI05CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA074), Feb 26, 2005: Cessna 177RG (N1623H), Fargo, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanic's improper installation of the oil filter canister base gasket, which resulted in an oil leak and the separation of the connecting rod due to oil starvation. Factors to the accident were…

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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