# NTSB CHI93FA050: Cessna 177B, N11889, Kansas City, MO, December 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1992, 06:12 local (12:12 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, MO
- Coordinates: 39.270919, -94.729377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2709&lon=-94.7294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB DURING A MISSED APPROACH. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INOPERATIVE GYRO INSTRUMENTS DUE TO A BROKEN VACUUM PUMP, THE DARK NIGHT, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine accessories,vacuum pump - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION, DURING LEVEL FLIGHT AT 9,000 FT, THE PILOT ADVISED ATC THAT HIS GYRO WAS INOPERATIVE. WHEN ASKED IF HE WOULD NEED ANY SPECIAL ASSISTANCE AT HIS DESTINATION, HE DECLINED. DURING THE ILS APPROACH HE WAS ISSUED A NEW VISIBILITY OF 1/4 MILE. HE SUBSEQUENTLY EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH, AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO CLIMB AND MAINTAIN 2,500 FT FOR NO-GYRO VECTORS. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN 1/4 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE ILS RUNWAY. EXAM OF THE VACUUM PUMP REVEALED THAT THE ROTOR WAS BROKEN; ONE VANE WAS BROKEN, AND TWO PIECES WERE WEDGED IN ONE VANE SLOT. THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT ROTATE. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL RESULTS SHOWED 33.500 UG/ML OF ACETAMINOPHEN IN THE URINE, ALONG WITH DIPHENHYDRAMINE. THIS COMBINATION IS FOUND IN COMMON NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SUCH AS 'BUFFRIN AF NITE TIME' AND 'EXCEDRIN P.M.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11889](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11889-2011-03-24), registration cancelled 2011-03-24, S/N 17702379, built 1975 (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: 17702379
- Airframe hours: 4084
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dart, John C.
- Registered owner: Dart, John C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1992, 79 hours before
- Departed: RPB, BELLEVILLE, KS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MCI, Kansas City International, runway 19R, 10,801 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCI, 1 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 19921207049229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921207049229A), Dec 7, 1992: Cessna 177B, Kansas City, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed on no gyro missed approach prior approach lost gyros. Vacuum pump shaft sheared. Sleep drugs in autopsy.

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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