# NTSB ATL85FA118: Cessna 177RG, N1625H, Charleston, WV, March 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1985, 18:17 local (23:17 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, WV
- Coordinates: 38.369659, -81.559188 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3697&lon=-81.5592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - light condition - dusk
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN BEFORE OBTAINING THE EN ROUTE WX. HE THEN REVISED THE FLT PLAN BY EXTENDING THE PLANNED FLT FROM WASHINGTON, DC, (DULLES) TO CHARLESTON, WV. THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN WX INFO PERTINENT TO REVISED FLT PLAN. THE PLT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE CESSNA 177RG HANDBOOK AND UNDERESTIMATED FUEL ON BOARD. HE ALSO DID NOT RELY ON FUEL GAGES OR PERFORM FUEL CALCULATIONS WHILE EN ROUTE. POSSIBLE REFUELING POINTS WERE OVERFLOWN. THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES 1 MILE FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT, 4 HRS AND 17 MINS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE FLT PLAN WAS FILED FOR 3 HRS AND 20 MINS. ONLY 3 OZS OF FUEL WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE HANDBOOK LISTS 1 GALLON OF FUEL AS BEING UNUSABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1625H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0798
- Airframe hours: 2759
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: T & M Enterprises,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1984, 83 hours before
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CHS, Kanawha, runway 23, 6,302 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,075 total, 86 in this make and model, 522 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 1 nm away

## 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 19850311006279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850311006279A), Mar 11, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Charleston, WV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Misjudged fuel endurance. Failed to land and refuel in strong winds. Ran out of fuel,hit trees one mile from runway

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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