# NTSB BFO92FA058: Cessna 177, N177RD, Lusby, MD, May 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1992, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Lusby, MD
- Coordinates: 38.409992, -76.450286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4100&lon=-76.4503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA058

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND LOST PARTIAL POWER, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO WOODED TERRAIN ABOUT 250 FT BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CARBURETOR WAS DISASSEMBLED, AND ALL COMPONENTS WERE ACCOUNTED FOR EXCEPT THE PRIMARY VENTURI. TWO OF THE THREE LEGS WHICH RETAINS THE VENTURI WERE SEPARATED, THE THIRD WAS COMPLETELY MISSING. VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF THE TWO SEPARATED LEGS REVEALED A MELTED AND RESOLIDIFIED APPEARANCE. ONE LEG PIECE WAS REMOVED FROM THE THROTTLE BODY, ULTRASONICALLY CLEANED IN ACETONE, AND SUBJECTED TO X-RAY ENERGY DISPERSIVE SPECTROSCOPY (EDS) IN AREAS THAT HAD A FRESH METAL APPEARANCE. THIS ANALYSIS GENERATED SPECTRA WITH LARGE ZINC PEAKS AND A MUCH SMALLER PEAK FOR ALUMINUM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N177RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177RD-1996-09-09), registration cancelled 1996-09-09, S/N 17700419 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700419
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis Construction Inc.
- Registered owner: Dennis Construction Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 30 hours before
- Airport: MD50, Chesapeake Ranch Airstrip, runway 31, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 5 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 15 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 19920510013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920510013989A), May 10, 1992: Cessna 177, Lusby, MD, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Engine backfired lost power on climbout. Crashed into trees. Carburetor primary ventri separated.

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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