# NTSB ATL86LA193: Cessna 177A, N30365, Huntsville, AL, July 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1986, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.560295, -86.520812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5603&lon=-86.5208&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 case key (mKey): 7146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA193

## 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
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD SET ON THE RAMP WITH LITTLE FUEL IN IT FOR APRX ONE WEEK. JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE PILOT TOOK FUEL SAMPLES, BUT FOUND NO WATER. HE THEN TAXIED TO THE FUEL PUMPS AND ADDED APRX 20 GAL OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. ANOTHER FUEL SAMPLE WAS NOT TAKEN. THE PLT THEN TAXIED TO THE RWY FOR TAKE OFF. AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS FULL OF WATER. THE FUEL TANK CAPS WERE CHECKED & DID NOT LEAK. THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS CHECKED & FOUND TO HAVE NO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE TANKS HAD NOT ONLY BEEN EMPTY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, BUT THERE REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN A LARGE VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30365](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30365-1993-11-30), registration cancelled 1993-11-30, S/N 17701212 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701212
- Airframe hours: 1220
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Waltress
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1985, 43 hours before
- Airport: 3M5, Moontown, runway 27, 2,180 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,182 total, 520 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 15 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 19860703032259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860703032259A), Jul 3, 1986: Cessna 177A, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. The engine lost power shortly after takeoff. Water was found in the carburetor. Tanks were not drained after topoff.

## Other investigations on N30365 (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 SEA94LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA006), Oct 4, 1993: Cessna 177A (N30365), La Sal, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH (10,000 FOOT) DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE FENCE.

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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