# NTSB DEN82DA184: Cessna 177, N3286T, Castlerock, CO, September 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1982
- Place: Castlerock, CO
- Coordinates: 39.369354, -104.849456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3694&lon=-104.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA184

## 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
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A FLIGHT TO ENGLEWOOD, CO, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF INTERSTATE 25 AT CASTLE ROCK. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3286T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700586
- Airframe hours: 1980
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dewey A. Meehl
- Registered owner: Florence E. Meehl
- Departed: FMN, CO
- Destination: APA, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 986 total, 475 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Observed at: APA, 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 19820904043849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820904043849A), Sep 4, 1982: Cessna 177, Castle Rock, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing on highway after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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