# NTSB CHI95LA208: Cessna 177B, N13734, Nappanee, IN, July 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1995, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Nappanee, IN - Coordinates: 41.439956, -85.980331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4400&lon=-85.9803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9932/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA208 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to do adequate preflight planning and failure to refuel when he had the opportunity. A factor in the accident was the soft field due to recent rains. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATING 1/2 FULL. HE MADE ONE FULL STOP LANDING BUT DID NOT REFUEL. AFTER EXECUTING A PRACTICE APPROACH AND MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE ON HIS RETURN TRIP, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. HE DECIDED TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND MAKE A FORCED LANDING. HE HAD BEEN FLYING FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS. HE LANDED IN A BEAN FIELD, BUT DUE TO THE RECENT RAINS THE GROUND WAS SOFT. THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, BOTH WING TANK SUMPS WERE DRAINED AND EACH HAD ABOUT 1/3 CUP OF FUEL REMAINING. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1995, at 1150 central daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N13734, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing due to loss of engine power near Nappanee, Indiana. The private pilot reported no injury. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Rochester, Indiana, enroute to Mishawaka, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statements and phone conversations, the pilot reported that he had departed Mishawaka with the fuel gauges indicating 1/2 full. He landed at Rochester, Indiana, but did not refuel before returning to Mishawaka. While returning, he executed a practice approach and missed approach at Goshen, Indiana. As he was proceeding to the Goshen VOR (GHS) for the missed approach procedure, the engine sputtered and he shut the engine down. He had been flying for about two hours when this occured. He then picked out a field and proceeded with the forced landing. He touched down in a bean field that he had picked out as his landing spot. Due to the recent rains the ground was soft. After traveling about 200 feet, the nose wheel dug into the dirt and the airplane to flipped over onto its back. During the inspection of the airplane, both wing tank sumps were drained and each contained about 1/3 cup of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13734](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13734), registered now, S/N 17702463, built 1976 (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: 17702463 - Airframe hours: 1848 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alex J. Nagy III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1995, 40 hours before - Departed: RCR, ROCHESTER, IN - Destination: 3CI, MISHAWAKA, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 892 total, 474 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 145° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °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 19950701015869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950701015869A), Jul 1, 1995: Cessna 177B, Nappanee, IN, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Had departed with minimum fuel. Failed refuel at destination. Nosed over landing soft field. (-23) see narrative #CHI95LA208 ## Other investigations on N13734 (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW78DRA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRA10), Dec 14, 1977: Cessna 177 (N13734), Orange, TX, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.