# NTSB CHI85LA346: Cessna 177, N3495F, Hillsdale, MI, August 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1985, 16:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Hillsdale, MI
- Coordinates: 41.91938, -84.629638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9194&lon=-84.6296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA346

## 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
  - fuel system,cap - leak (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft service - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT WAS IN CRUISE FLT WHEN THE PLT NOTED THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED A LOW FUEL STATE. HE HAD TURNED TOWARD AN ARPT WHICH WAS CLOSER THAN HIS DESTINATION AND THE ENG QUIT. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FLD AND TREES WERE CONTACTED. THE FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY. FUEL STAINS WERE NOTED TRAILING FROM THE LEFT FUEL CAP, PRIMER LINES, AND AROUND THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3495F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700607
- Airframe hours: 1382
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christain Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1985, 130 hours before
- Departed: CGX, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: D98, ROMEO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 80 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN

## 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 19850812048349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812048349A), Aug 12, 1985: Cessna 177, Hillsdale, MI, Substantial damage. Struck tree during landing in a field after fuel was exhausted. Fuel stains on wings, primer lines and carburetor.

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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