# NTSB CHI92LA229: Cessna 177, N30108, Greenwood, NE, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, NE
- Coordinates: 40.959774, -96.439292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9598&lon=-96.4393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA229

## Probable cause

THE PRIVATE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED GREEN BAY ABOUT 0900 HOURS WITH AN INTENDED DESTINATION OF BEATRICE, NEBRASKA.  AFTER ENCOUNTERING IFR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIGHER THAN EXPECTED FUEL CONSUMPTION, THE PILOT CHANGED HIS DESTINATION TO LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.  THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AT 1345 HOURS, AFTER 4 HOURS AND 45 MINUTES OF FLIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING.  POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF USEABLE FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM, AND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE.  THE PILOT REPORTED HE PLANNED THE FLIGHT BASED ON A RANGE OF 8.0 HOURS, USING 51% POWER AT 7,500 FEET.  HE SUSPECTED BAD FUEL CAP SEALS RESULTED IN THE FUEL SIPHONING FROM THE TANKS DURING FLIGHT.  THE FAA INSPECTOR STATED ALTHOUGH THERE WERE STAINS AFT OF THE FUEL CAPS, THEY 'APPEARED TO BE OLD STAINS.'  EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SEALS REVEALED THEY 'APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30108](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30108-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 17701065, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701065
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Concepcion, Leonard
- Registered owner: Gonzales, Melvin M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: GRB, GREEN BAY, WI
- Destination: LNK, LINCOLN, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 248 total, 25 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNK, 19 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 19920806029569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920806029569A), Aug 6, 1992: Cessna 177, Greenwood, NE, Substantial damage. Engine quit at cruise above cloud layer. Let down through clouds landing in rough field. No usable fuel on board.

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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