# NTSB BFO85LA019: Cessna 177, N18038, Delaware City, DE, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 23:15 local (Mar 3, 1985, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Delaware City, DE
- Coordinates: 39.569278, -75.600791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5693&lon=-75.6008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED CHARLESTON, SC AT ABOUT 1730 WITH 42 GALS (5 HRS) OF FUEL ON BOARD FOR THE PLANNED 4 HR FLT TO SMYRNA, DE. HEADWINDS OF 10 TO 20 KTS WERE ENCOUNTERED EN ROUTE, PUTTING THE FLT IN THE SMYRNA AREA 45 MINS LATE WITH ONLY 15 MINS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE PLT FOUND THAT THE PLT-ACTIVATED-RWY-LIGHTS WERE INOP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ACTIVATE THE LIGHTS & FLYING THE PATTERN DOWN TO 200 FT, THE PLT DIVERTED TO WILMINGTON ARPT, ABOUT 30 MILES NORTH. THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALTITIDE OF 2000 FT WHEN THE ACFT WAS APRX 8 MILES SOUTH OF WILMINGTON. A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING OCCURRED IN A SWAMPY AREA. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED AFTER THE NOSEWHEEL BECAME MIRED IN MUD DURING THE LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS LATER TOLD THAT PERSONNEL AT SMYRNA HAD SHUT DOWN THE RWY LIGHT SYS FOR MAINTENANCE & HAD NOT REACTIVATED THE LIGHTS WHEN THEY HAD FINISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18038](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18038), registered now, S/N 17702526, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702526
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smyrna Pilots Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Destination: 38N, SMYRNA, DE
- Airport: ILG, Greater Wilmingon

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 294 total, 48 in this make and model, 258 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 340° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 10 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 19850302005029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302005029A), Mar 2, 1985: Cessna 177B, Delaware City, DE, Substantial damage. Diverted due to inoperative runway lights. Fuel exhaustion. Flipped over landing in a swampy area.

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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