# NTSB DEN04LA011: Cessna 177, N2246Y, Nageezi, NM, October 16, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 16, 2003, 12:58 local (18:58 UTC) - Place: Nageezi, NM - Coordinates: 36.435554, -107.576942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4356&lon=-107.5769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58202 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58202/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA011 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, inadequate fuel consumption calculations, and improper fuel management. Contributing factors include fuel exhaustion resulting in the loss of power, the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing and the tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot had conducted a thorough preflight prior to his departure. He stated he measured 9.5 gallons in the left tank and 9.0 gallons in the right tank using a wooden stick that had been calibrated by another pilot for that specific aircraft. Engine start, taxi, take-off and climb out were normal. During cruise flight at 10,500 feet, the pilot checked the fuel mixture. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported he switched from both tanks to the right tank. The right tank went dry approximately 3 minutes later so the pilot switched to the left tank. During the pilot's gradual descent, between 8,000 msl and 9,000 msl, the engine lost power. The pilot stated he established a pattern for a forced landing on a "narrow dirt road." During the landing roll, the airplane collided with the brush to the side of the road causing substantial damage to the airplane. Post accident examination revealed the fuel tanks were empty. According to the Cessna pilot operating handbook, the engine consumes 8.5 to 10 gallons of fuel per hour depending on the power setting. ## Factual narrative On October 16, 2003, at 1258 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2246Y, operated by Rainbow Aero, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Nageezi, New Mexico. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Farmington, New Mexico departed at 1130. According to the pilot's statement, he conducted a thorough preflight prior to his departure from Albuquerque. The pilot stated that he measured 9.5 gallons of fuel in the left tank and 9.0 gallons of fuel in the right tank. The pilot said he used a wooden stick, calibrated by another pilot, for that specific aircraft. He checked fuel to verify there was no contamination and received assistance from another pilot checking the engine fuel sump. Engine start and taxi, and engine run-up were normal. The flight departed at 1130 and climbed from 5,355 feet msl to 10,500 feet msl. During cruise flight the pilot checked the fuel mixture. At1220, 50 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported he switched from both tanks to the right tank. The right tank went dry approximately 3 minutes later so the pilot switched to the left tank. During the pilot's gradual descent into Farmington, between 8,000 msl and 9,000 msl, the engine lost power. The pilot stated he established a pattern for a forced landing on a "narrow dirt road." During the landing roll, the airplane collided with the brush on the side of the road. The left main landing gear separated and the elevator was crushed aft. Post accident examination of the fuel tanks revealed both were empty. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. This flight lasted approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This does not include time for engine start, taxi and engine run-up. According to FAR Part 91.151, Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions, "(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes." The engine installed on the accident airplane was a Lycoming O-320-E2D, producing 150 hp, and according to the pilot operating handbook, consumes 8.5 to 10 gallons of fuel per hour depending on the power setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2246Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2246Y), registered now, S/N 17700046, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700046 - Airframe hours: 3153.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John A. Farris - Registered owner: Rainbow Aero Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2003, 62.8 hours before - Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 10, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 989 total, 29 in this make and model, 989 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: FMN, 38 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 20031016027799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031016027799A), Oct 16, 2003: Cessna 177, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 16, 2003, at 1920 MST, a Cessna 177, N2246Y, registered to rainbow aero inc, ran out of fuel enroute to Farmington, new Mexico and on landing… 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.