# NTSB CHI91LA162: Cessna 177, N548EC, New Lothrop, MI, May 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1991, 20:30 local (May 22, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: New Lothrop, MI
- Coordinates: 43.110588, -83.960693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1106&lon=-83.9607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA162

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION AND MISJUDGED FUEL CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT.  A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PVT PILOT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP WITH THREE PASSENGERS THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AND EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A FARM FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL AIRFRAME DAMAGE.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N548EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N548EC), registered now, S/N 17702505, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- 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: 17702505
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1FGD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick J. Corcoran
- Departed: Y04, TRAVERSE CITY, MI
- Destination: 3DA, FLUSHING, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 100 total, 50 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MBS, 20 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 19910521016779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910521016779A), May 21, 1991: Cessna 177B, New Lothrop, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Landing gear collapsed landing in a field. Fuel tanks were found to be empty.

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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