# NTSB ATL88LA244: Cessna 177RG, N52655, Berkeley, KY, September 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1988, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Berkeley, KY
- Coordinates: 36.789531, -89.010482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7895&lon=-89.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA244

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH 6 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD. HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS WHILE EN ROUTE, AND FLEW AT 3-500 FT AGL TO MAINTAIN VFR. ABOUT 3 HRS & 15 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LDG IN TREES. WHILE SECURING THE AIRPLANE, HE OBSERVED THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE 'LEFT' (TANK) POSITION INSTEAD OF IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION WHERE HE NORMALLY POSITIONED IT FOR FLIGHT. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE SITE BY AN IA MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL OF FUEL. THE LEFT TANK WAS IMPACT DAMAGED & CONTAINED ONLY ABOUT A PINT OF FUEL. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE FUEL GAUGES WERE NOT OPERATIONAL, AND THAT HE KEPT TRACK OF FUEL CONSUMPTION BY ELAPSED TIME AND KNOWN AVERAGE FUEL FLOW PER HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52655](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52655-1990-08-14), registration cancelled 1990-08-14, S/N 177RG1232 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG1232
- Airframe hours: 3068
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Oil Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: HOPKINSVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 705 total, 228 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 22 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 19880903036899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880903036899A), Sep 3, 1988: Cessna 177RG, Berkeley, KY, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Stalled into trees. Fuel selector on empty tank other was full. No attempt to select full tank.

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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