# NTSB DEN83FTA02: Cessna 177, N2824X, Hardin, MT, October 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1982, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Hardin, MT
- Coordinates: 45.699203, -107.690856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6992&lon=-107.6909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - fuel system,line - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FULLY SERVICED WITH FUEL (48 GAL USABLE SUPPLY) AND HAD BEEN FLOWN 1.8 HRS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT HAD RELIED ON HIS FUEL LOG AND FUEL GAUGES, AND DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY DURING THE PREFLIGHT. WHILE ON A GRADUAL DESCENT TOWARD THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. A CRASH LANDING WAS MADE IN PLOWED FIELD ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE AIRPORT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS AND LINES. THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN .6 HRS ON THIS FLIGHT OR 2.4 HRS SINCE IT WAS REFUELED. AT 75% POWER, ABOUT 24 GAL WOULD HAVE BEEN CONSUMED. RED FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE INLET FUEL LINE AND ON THE FIRE WALL BELOW THE LINE. WITH THE COWLING ON, THE PILOT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OBSERVE THE STAINS. THE FUEL LINE (PN S1236-8-0280) WAS REMOVED AND PRESSURE CHECKED AT 7 PSI. DURING THE CHECK, A SMALL STREAM OF FUEL ABOUT 1/16 INCH IN DIAMETER WAS NOTED. ALSO, FUEL THEFTS HAD BEEN REPORTED AT THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2824X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2824X-1989-08-07), registration cancelled 1989-08-07, S/N 17700224 (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: 177-00224
- Airframe hours: 1405
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas Freeman
- Registered owner: Douglas Freeman
- Departed: HARDIN, MT
- Destination: HARDIN, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 230 total, 230 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 122 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821031055919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821031055919A), Oct 31, 1982: Cessna 177, Hardin, MT, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on local flight. Stalled during forced landing. Possible small fuel line leak.

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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