# NTSB CHI98LA256: Cessna 177, N3461T, Cassville, WI, July 16, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1998, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Cassville, WI
- Coordinates: 42.710956, -90.989082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7110&lon=-90.9891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA256

## Probable cause

an undetermined event which resulted in engine failure on landing roll out during attempted restart fuel ignited and an undetermined event in the airplane's fuel system which resulted in a fire.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, landing - roll
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said that the airplane's engine quit on landing roll out.  After the airplane was completely stopped, the pilot attempted a restart.  The pilot said, 'A backfire from the engine caused fumes to ignite and start raw gas on [the] ground on fire.'  Examination of surviving airplane components revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On July 16, 1998, at 1850 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 177, N3461T, operated by a private pilot was destroyed when on landing roll, the airplane's engine quit.  During the subsequent restart attempt, an engine fire erupted which consumed the airplane.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  There was no flight plan on file.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The cross-country flight originated at Dubuque, Iowa, at 1830 cdt.

In his written statement, the pilot said that the airplane's engine quit on landing roll out.  After the airplane was completely stopped, the pilot attempted a restart.  The pilot said, "A backfire from the engine caused fumes to ignite and start raw gas on [the] ground on fire."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site.  The entire airplane, with exception of the outboard few feet of both wings, was charred, melted, or consumed by fire.  Flight control continuity was confirmed.  Examination of surviving airplane components revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3461T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3461T-2000-03-15), registration cancelled 2000-03-15, S/N 17700761 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700761
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2F reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Yocum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1998, 10 hours before
- Departed: DBQ, DUBUQUE, IA
- Destination: C-74
- Airport: C74, Cassville Airport, runway 29, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DBQ, 21 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 19980716016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980716016739A), Jul 16, 1998: Cessna 177, Cassville, WI, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot landed on runway 29 at Cassville, WI (C74) after a short flight from dubuque, IA. During landing roll the engine quit. Pilot attempted to re-start…

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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