# NTSB CHI89FA058: Cessna 177RG, N52634, Rockford, IL, March 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1989, 16:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, IL
- Coordinates: 42.189598, -89.060394 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1896&lon=-89.0604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA058

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE SERVICING OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR MANUALLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - hydraulic system,reservoir - low level (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - not possible, pilot in command
  - hydraulic system,pump - starvation (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE ROLLOUT OF A FULL STOP LANDING. THE HYDRAULIC POWER PACK UNIT HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND FLIGHT AND SECOND LANDING SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UNIT. THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR WAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN HALF FULL. GEAR OPERATION COULD NOT BE OBTAINED IN A FUNCTIONAL TEST WITH THE HYDRAULICFLUID LEVEL EXISTENT IN RESERVOIR. NORMAL GEAR FUNCTION WAS OBTAINED AFTER RESERVOIR WAS SERVICED TO OPERATING CAPACITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52634](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52634), registered now, S/N 177RG1219, built 1977 (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: 177RG1219
- Airframe hours: 1190
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eric W. Pfleger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988, 56 hours before
- Departed: MWC, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Airport: RFD, Greater Rockford, runway 30, 4,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 18 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD

## 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 19890318004089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890318004089A), Mar 18, 1989: Cessna 177RG, Rockford, IL, Substantial damage. Landing gear collapsed on landing roll. Not locked down due low fluid. Not verified down.

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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