# NTSB CHI88LA167: Cessna 177RG, N2059Q, Mankato, MN, July 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1988, 04:45 local (09:45 UTC)
- Place: Mankato, MN
- Coordinates: 44.159702, -93.989158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1597&lon=-93.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil tubing - cracked (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - powerplant - seized
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - blocked(partial)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - visual lookout - restricted
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT LEVELED OFF AT HIS INTENDED CRUISE ALTITUDE, HE NOTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, THEN SAW OIL SPREAD UP OVER THE WINDSHIELD, RESTRICTING HIS VISIBILITY. THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, AND BEGAN DESCENDING TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND DESCENDED THROUGH SOME TREES BEFORE MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE LOSS OF OIL WAS DETERMINED TO BE DUE TO A CRACKED PROPELLER GOVERNOR OIL TUBE THROUGH WHICH OIL WAS PUMPED OVERBOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2059Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2059Q-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 177RG0459, built 1973 (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: 177RG0429
- Airframe hours: 1975
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airlake Aero, Inc.
- Registered owner: Airlake Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1988, 34 hours before
- Departed: Y12, LAKEVILLE, MN
- Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 786 total, 27 in this make and model, 632 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RST, 55 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 19880717026709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880717026709A), Jul 17, 1988: Cessna 177RG, Mankato, MN, Substantial damage. Oil covered windshield. Tried for airport. Engine seized. Crashed short. Prop governor oil line broke. Not secured.

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.