# NTSB ATL90LA019: Cessna 177RG, N34080, Albertville, AL, October 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1989, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Albertville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.259319, -86.200561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2593&lon=-86.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA019

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY INSPECT THE MAGNETO DURING A RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - worn
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE MAGNETO CAM FOLLOWER WAS WORN AND BURNED NOT ALLOWING THE POINTS TO OPEN. A SERVICE BULLETIN TO INSPECT THE CAM FOLLOWER HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34080](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34080), registered now, S/N 177RG0963, built 1976 (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: 177RG0963
- Airframe hours: 4812
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Knoxville Flyers, Inc
- Registered owner: Knoxville Flyers, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1988, 262 hours before
- Departed: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,511 total, 312 in this make and model, 1,256 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 26 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 19891020045079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891020045079A), Oct 20, 1989: Cessna 177RG, Albertville, AL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power en route. Struck ditch on forced landing. Magneto cam worn and burned away. Bulletin not complied

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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