# NTSB CHI99LA226: Cessna 177RG, N1937Q, Weldon Springs, MO, July 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1999, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Weldon Springs, MO - Coordinates: 38.700031, -90.669189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7000&lon=-90.6692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46800 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46800/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA226 ## Probable cause the loss of engine oil for undetermined reasons. A factor was the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - lubricating system - leak (cause) - Forced landing, landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, while en route, he noticed a loss of oil pressure. A short time later, the airplane's engine failed, and the pilot executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck trees at the end of the field. The airplane had just had maintenance performed which included an oil change and installation of a newly overhauled propeller and propeller governor. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the lower fuselage substructure in the area near the cabin door opening. Oil was found inside the engine compartment and on the exterior surfaces of the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1999, at 1645 central daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N1937Q, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Weldon Springs, Missouri. The positioning flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight had departed from the Kirksville Regional Airport, Kirksville, Missouri, at 1545, and was en route to the Spirit of Saint Louis Airport (SUS), Saint Louis, Missouri. In a written statement, the pilot said that the airplane had just had maintenance performed which included an oil change and installation of a newly overhauled propeller and propeller governor. The pilot stated that, while en route, he noticed a loss of oil pressure. The pilot contacted the SUS tower controllers and informed them of the decreasing oil pressure. The pilot was transferred to a radar facility. Shortly after establishing communications with the radar facility, the aircraft engine failed and the pilot executed a forced landing in a field approximately 7 miles west of SUS. During the landing roll, the airplane struck trees at the end of the field. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the lower fuselage substructure in the area near the door opening. Oil was found inside the engine compartment and on the exterior surfaces of the fuselage. No preexisting anomalies were detected. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1937Q (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0337 - Airframe hours: 4065 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark L Thompson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1999, 51 hours before - Departed: IRK, KIRKSVILLE, MO - Destination: SUS, SAINT LOUIS, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,117 total, 3,150 in this make and model, 5,017 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUS, 7 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 19990706044089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990706044089A), Jul 6, 1999: Cessna 177RG, Weldon Springs, MO, No damage. (-23) Approx. 50 minutes after departing kirksville MO the pilot noticed that the oil pressure was at the bottom of the green arc when he was scanning the… 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.