# NTSB ATL88LA234: Cessna 177A, N30335, Ridgeland, SC, August 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1988, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.480476, -80.979026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4805&lon=-80.9790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER LOSS ABOUT FOUR HOURS AFTER DEPARTING POMPANO BEACH. THE PILOT HAD VARIED HIS ALTITUDE THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE ACFT COULD FLY ABOUT 3.8 HOURS, AT 2500 FEET ALTITUDE, ON 48 GALLONS OF FUEL WITH NO FUEL RESERVE, AND LEAN MIXTURE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT LEANING THE FUEL MIXTURE AT ANY POINT DURING THE FLIGHT. THERE WERE NO REPORTED AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30335](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30335-1991-05-10), registration cancelled 1991-05-10, S/N 17701201 (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: 17701201
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sale Reported
- Registered owner: Peter W. Randall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: PMP, POMPANO BEACH, FL
- Destination: RBW, WALTERBORO, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 8 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 6° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV

## 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 19880822035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880822035029A), Aug 22, 1988: Cessna 177A, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Stalled on forced landing in open field. Fuselage and engine bent upwards by impact.

## Other investigations on N30335 (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 MKC74DCQ21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCQ21), Dec 22, 1973: Cessna 177 (N30335), Great Bend, KS, substantial damage

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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