# NTSB ATL89LA085: Cessna 177B, N34306, Oneonta, AL, February 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1989, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Oneonta, AL
- Coordinates: 33.949153, -86.469253 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9492&lon=-86.4693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7986/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA085

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND FUEL EXHAUSTION. TREES CONTRIBUTED TO THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE.

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST 'TOPPED OFF' WITH FUEL ON 1/28/89, THEN WAS FLOWN ON 4 FLTS FOR A TOTAL OF 5.5 HRS. DRG THAT TIME,AN ADDITIONAL 20 GAL OF FUEL WAS ADDED. BEFORE THE ACDNT FLT, THE PLT NOTED THE FUEL LEVEL WAS LOW, SO HE ELECTED TO FLY TO A NEARBY ARPT TO REFUEL. SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER & THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN TREES. ONLY ABOUT 1 PINT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT AFTER THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34306](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34306-1989-07-28), registration cancelled 1989-07-28, S/N 17701758 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701758
- Airframe hours: 2052
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glenn Hodge
- Registered owner: Glenn Hodge & Sewell Lynn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1988, 38 hours before
- Destination: 8A0, ALBERTVILLE, AL
- Airport: 20A

## 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; flight hours: 262 total, 10 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890211002529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890211002529A), Feb 11, 1989: Cessna 177B, Oneonta, AL, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on climb to cruise. Turned back but crashed into trees. Pilot was aware of low fuel prior takeoff.

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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