# NTSB ATL89LA128: Cessna 177RG, N7504V, Barnwell, SC, April 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1989, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Barnwell, SC
- Coordinates: 33.240612, -81.359588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2406&lon=-81.3596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION IN CONTINUING FLIGHT TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITHOUT REFUELING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND INADEQUATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS AT 4000 FEET IN CRUISE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD FLIPPING OVER AFTER THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO SOFT DIRT. TWO FACTORS PRESENT WERE STRONG WINDS ALOFT AND INACCURATE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM. THE RIGHT FLOAT WHEN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK SHOWED TWO NEEDLE WIDTH OF FUEL REMAINING. THE PILOT ALLOWED ONE TANK TO GO EMPTY AND RELIED ON THE RIGHT TANK INDICATION OF LESS THEN ONE QUARTER FULL. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN ENROUTE FOR 4 HOURS AND 22 MINUTES AND WAS 78 STATUTE MILES FROM DESTINATION. THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT WITH AN IFR RESERVE WITH THE FUEL INDICATED. THE PILOT HAD PLANNED FOR A 4 HOUR FLIGHT WITH 5.5 HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7504V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7504V), registered now, S/N 177RG0803, built 1975 (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: 177RG-0803
- Airframe hours: 2479
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Erdy, J. Walter
- Registered owner: Erdy, Walter J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1988, 37 hours before
- Departed: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BNL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 788 total, 298 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 20 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890408009839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890408009839A), Apr 8, 1989: Cessna 177RG, Barnwell, SC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route on IFR flight plan. Misjudged fuel burn. Nosed over landing in soft field.

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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