# NTSB ANC86LAG04: Cessna 177, N300WC, Soldotna, AK, October 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1985, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.320503, -150.790313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3205&lon=-150.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LAG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LAG04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
  - fuel system,line - contamination (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE RIGHT WING TANK QUICK DRAIN WAS FROZEN AND THE FUEL STRAINER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. AFTER CONSULTING WITH A MECHANIC, A TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED AND THE ENG QUIT DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED ICE AND SMALL AMOUNTS OF PAINT, FOAM INSULATION, RUST AND WOOD CHIPS IN THE SYSTEM. THE PLT WAS RETURNING THE ACFT TO HOME BASE FOLLOWING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N300WC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702042
- Airframe hours: 847
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Shannon D. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 1985, 0 hours before
- Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Airport: Gaede Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 524 total, 117 in this make and model, 429 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 10 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19851026054059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851026054059A), Oct 26, 1985: Cessna 177B, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Indications of ice in fuel on preflight unrecognized. Engine quit on takeoff. Struck trees. Contamination in fuel.

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.

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