# NTSB BFO92LA002: Cessna 177B, N29308, London, KY, October 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1991, 16:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: London, KY
- Coordinates: 37.120056, -84.079826 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1201&lon=-84.0798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA002

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FIRE PATROL FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. IT WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND THE PILOT HAD REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE FIRST FLIGHT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE BOTH POSITION FOR EACH FLIGHT. ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO THE SECOND FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE LEFT TANK INDICATED THREE QUARTERS FULL; THE RIGHT TANK INDICATED EMPTY. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHICH INCLUDED SWITCHING TO THE LEFT TANK ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A UTILITY POLE DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A GRASS FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS THREE QUARTERS FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29308](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29308-1997-10-10), registration cancelled 1997-10-10, S/N 17700804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700804
- Airframe hours: 1129
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Aerotech Inc
- Registered owner: Cumberland Welder Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1991, 9 hours before
- Departed: LOZ, LONDON, KY
- Airport: LOZ, London-Carbin Megee

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 3 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOZ, 30 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 19911019056919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911019056919A), Oct 19, 1991: Cessna 177B, London, KY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on forest fire patrol when right tank ran dry. Did not switch to left tank with fuel until too late.

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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