# NTSB CEN13CA175: Cessna 177, N30227, Elcho, WI, February 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2013, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Elcho, WI - Coordinates: 45.424167, -89.178886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4242&lon=-89.1789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA- Milwaukee - NTSB case key (mKey): 86281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86281/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86281 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight fuel management, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine experienced a total loss of power while in cruise flight. He attempted to restart the engine without success; therefore, he executed a forced landing on a snow-covered field. Upon landing, the airplane nosed over and then came to rest on its back. The airplane sustained substantial damage, including damage to both wings and the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that he decided not to refuel before the flight because his fuel calculations showed that he should have had at least 30 minutes of fuel reserve upon arrival at the destination airport; however, he did not use a calibrated instrument in determining the preflight fuel quantity. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had refueled before the flight. He reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. He attempted to restart the engine without success and executed a forced landing to a field. Upon landing in the snow-covered field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest on its back. The airplane sustained substantial damage, including damage to both wings and the horizontal stabilizer. In his written statement, the pilot said that he decided not to add additional fuel prior to the flight because his fuel calculations showed that he should have had at least 30 minutes of fuel reserve upon arrival at the destination airport; however, he did not use a calibrated instrument in determining the preflight fuel quantity. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented by adding additional fuel prior to the flight. He listed no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane on his written report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30227](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30227-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 17701133, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701133 - Airframe hours: 2823 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2013, 3 hours before - Departed: 92C, Pulaski, WI - Destination: RHI, Rhinelander, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 21 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: RHI, 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 20130217001629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130217001629A), Feb 17, 2013: Cessna 177, Elcho, WI, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he performed three solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at the pulaski, WI airport (92C) to satisfy the passenger-carrying recency… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86281. 392 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.