# NTSB CHI93LA380: Cessna 177B, N35163, Fayette, IA, September 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1993, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Fayette, IA
- Coordinates: 42.840179, -91.80072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8402&lon=-91.8007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA380
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA380

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's failure to refuel the airplane.  A factor was a road sign and fuel exhaustion.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD WHERE THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SIGN.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL IN TANKS.

## Factual narrative

On September 27, 1993, at 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N35163, registered to Red Baron Flyers, Inc. of Caledonia, Minnesota, and operated by a private rated pilot, experienced a loss of engine power and conducted a forced landing on a gravel road two and one-half miles east of Fayette, Iowa.  On roll out the left wing impacted a road sign and exited the road into a ditch.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Owasso, Oklahoma, at 0900, with the intended destination of Caledonia, Minnesota.

The pilot in his written statement gave no indication of reason for loss of engine power, other than to describe a "pop" and loss of power.

Post accident examination of the fuel tanks revealed only unusable fuel remaining.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35163](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35163), registered now, S/N 17702239, 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: 17702239
- Airframe hours: 3884
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Red Baron Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Red Baron Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1993, 63 hours before
- Departed: OK16, OWASSO, OK
- Destination: CHU, CALEDONIA, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 39 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALO, 45 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 19930927038629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930927038629A), Sep 27, 1993: Cessna 177B, Fayette, IA, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Struck sign landing on a road. Only unusuable fuel in fuel tanks.

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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