# NTSB CHI90LA079: Cessna 177B, N35100, Raleigh, IL, February 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1990, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, IL
- Coordinates: 37.819099, -88.530067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8191&lon=-88.5301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA079

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE UNRELIABLE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - unreliable (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - wet
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN LEVEL CRUISE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED RESTART PROCEDURES WITHOUT SUCCESS, AND CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A MUDDY FIELD, WHERE THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF USABLE FUEL ON BOARD, AND NO INDICATION OF SPILLED FUEL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35100](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35100), registered now, S/N 17702206, built 1974 (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: 17702206
- Airframe hours: 1025
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-1AF6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wernle, Merle R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1989, 49 hours before
- Departed: H07, HIGHLAND, IL
- Destination: HSB, HARRISBURG, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,750 total, 35 in this make and model, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F

## 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 19900212002019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900212002019A), Feb 12, 1990: Cessna 177B, Raleigh, IL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on second trip,after ordering full fuel did not check fuel. Landed in muddy field and nosed over.

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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