# NTSB BFO86FA044: Cessna 177B, N34953, Springfield, VA, September 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1986, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, VA
- Coordinates: 38.76902, -77.229415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7690&lon=-77.2294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11214/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,selector/valve - unmarked (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG BGN RUNNING ROUGH DRG FLT, THEN CLRD & RAN SMOOTHLY AGAIN. HE RPRTD HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE FLT & MADE A TURN, THEN SVRL MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST PWR. DRG AN EMERG LNDG IN A PARKING LOT, THE L MAIN GEAR HIT ANAUTO & FATALLY INJURED THE DRIVER. BFR COMING TO REST ON AN EMBANKMENT, THE ACFT HIT 2 OTR AUTOS & A GUY WIRE. WITNESSESRPRTD THE ACFT WAS CIRCLING THE AREA BFR THE ENG LOST PWR. A FRIEND OF THE PLT WAS LIVING APRX 2 BLKS FM THE ACDNT SITE.NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND. DRG A POST-ACDNT CHECK, THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY. AN INV REVEALED CONDS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR (CARB) ICING. THE PLT MADE NO MENTION OF SPECIFICALLY USING THE CARB HEAT DRG THE EMERG. ALSO, THE INV REVEALED THE PLACARD FOR THE FUEL SELECTOR (SEL) WAS DESIGNED TO RESTRICT MVMNT OF THE SEL TO THE L & RGT PSNS (NO 'OFF' PSN), BUT THE PLACARD WAS FND OUTSIDE THE ACFT WITH NO DMG. SEL WAS FND IN A PSN THAT WLD HAVE SHUT OFF FUEL TO THE ENG. THE PLT RPRTD HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL WHEN HE WAS COMMITTED TO LND. FLT TIME SINCE ANNUAL INSPN: 4.4 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34953](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34953-1990-07-27), registration cancelled 1990-07-27, S/N 17702114 (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: 17702114
- Airframe hours: 3358
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Nolan & James Kreitner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1986, 4 hours before
- Departed: MD24, COLUMBIA, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 510 total, 444 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 10 nm away

## Other investigations on N34953 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN77FTE20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FTE20), Jan 21, 1977: Cessna 177B (N34953), Boulder, CO, substantial damage

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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