# NTSB CHI86FEP01: Cessna 177, N29849, Portage, WI, March 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1986, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Portage, WI
- Coordinates: 43.540462, -89.460021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5405&lon=-89.4600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEP01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEP01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THAT UPON CLIMBOUT FOLLOWING A LOW PASS, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN SEEN IN A STEEP TURN. DURING THIS TURN THE WINGS REACHED A VERTICAL POSITION AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE. IT SUBSEQUENTLY SANK BELOW THE ICE. THE LAST TURN OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET AGL. THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29849 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700922
- Airframe hours: 771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dean A. Strander
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1985, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 71 total, 6 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 16 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 27 nm away

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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