# NTSB CEN25LA193: Cessna 177B, N177LS, Columbus, MS, May 31, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 31, 2025, 15:33 local (20:33 UTC) - Place: Columbus, MS - Coordinates: 33.430256, -88.323272 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4303&lon=-88.3233&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200252/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200252 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported about 4 hours after departure while on approach to the destination airport, the engine lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a field which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks contained no usable fuel. After the accident, the pilot stated that he did not top off the fuel tanks at his departure airport but only “stuck” the tanks to verify the fuel level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N177LS), registered now, S/N 17702620, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17702620 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 4031.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2024 - Departed: KORL, Orlando, FL - Destination: KUBS, Columbus, MS - Airport: UBS, Columbus-Lowndes County, runway 36, 4,503 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 27, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 617.9 total, 456.7 in this make and model, 590.3 as pilot in command, 28.8 in the last 90 days, 8.3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: KGTR, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KGTR 312056Z 26004KT 10SM SCT050 27/16 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP130 T02670156 56017 ## 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 20250531005789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250531005789A), May 31, 2025: Cessna 177B, Columbus, MS, Substantial damage. Pilot with three passengers aboard was on final approach into kubs runway 36. Pilot had leveled off at 1700 MSL when suddenly the engine stopped. He turned… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200252. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19218311&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 943 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19218870&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� FAA inspector emails (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19219542&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� recovery company statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19219316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=TW%20MOR-Rel.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.