# NTSB CEN09LA487: Cessna 177RG, N2108Q, Black River Falls, WI, July 31, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2009, 10:58 local (15:58 UTC) - Place: Black River Falls, WI - Coordinates: 44.290859, -90.840751 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2909&lon=-90.8408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74433 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA487 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74433/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74433 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA487 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during cruise due to the number two cylinder piston connecting rod failure for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he noticed the engine oil temperature indicator read too high during cruise. He opened the cowl flaps, reduced engine power, and enriched the mixture. He stated that the oil temperature decreased. However, he determined that it was still too high for safety purposes. The engine stopped and oil covered all but the far left side of the windshield. He declared an emergency, started gliding, and lowered the gear on approach. He said, “On final it became clear that I had circled to[o] wide to make the runway, but maintained best glide until striking the garage.” An examination of the airplane indicated that the number two cylinder piston connecting rod failed and fractured the top of the engine case. The cause of the piston rod failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2009, about 1058 central daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N2108Q, encountered a loss of engine power while in cruise flight en route to the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot performed a forced landing and the airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted a garage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Of the three on board, the private pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The other passenger sustained minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an activated visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated about 0930 from the Flying Cloud Airport, near Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was destined for OSH. The pilot’s report stated that he noticed the engine oil temperature indicator read too high. He opened the cowl flaps, reduced engine power, and enriched the mixture. He stated that the oil temperature decreased. However, he determined that it was still too high for safety purposes. According to the pilot, the "engine failed and oil covered all but the far left side of the windshield." He declared an emergency, started gliding, and lowered the landing gear on approach. He said, “On final it became clear that I had circled to[o] wide to make the runway, but maintained best glide until striking the garage.” Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the wreckage. An inspector indicated that the number two cylinder piston connecting rod failed and fractured the top of the engine case. The connecting rod fracture ends sustained post-separation damage. The pilot stated the aircraft was equipped with a digital engine monitor and warning light. He said that with “the warning light I was assured of more time to decide what course of action to take.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2108Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2108Q-2010-03-10), registration cancelled 2010-03-10, S/N 177RG0508, built 1974 (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: 177RG0508 - Airframe hours: 3041 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2008 - Departed: FCM, Minneapolis, MN - Destination: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BCK, Black River Falls Area Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 376 total, 23 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: CMY, 18 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 20090731017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090731017609A), Jul 31, 2009: Cessna 177RG, Black River Fa, WI, Substantial damage. On July 31, 2009, at 10:54 CDT, the pilot of a Cessna 177RG struck a house while attempting an emergency landing at the Black River Falls WI. The aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74433. 814 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 814 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.