# NTSB DEN86FA092: Cessna 177, N3476T, Anaconda, MT, March 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1986, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Anaconda, MT
- Coordinates: 46.120853, -112.970397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1209&lon=-112.9704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA092

## 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 - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,water - frozen (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SOLE SURVIVING PAX SAID THE ENG LOST POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING BUT HIT A TREE AND THE ACFT CRASHED. APRX 5 GALS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM WING TANK. FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM PLT'S STORAGE TANK REVEALED SOME WATER CONTAMINATION. ACFT HAD BEEN OPERATING AT 9000 FT MSL IN BELOW FREEZING TEMP FOR APRX 1 HR, 5 MINS. ENG DISASSEMBLY REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. CARBURETOR BOWL WAS CLEAN, DRY, AND ABSENT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3476T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3476T-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 17700776, built 1968 (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: 177-00776
- Airframe hours: 1811
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Everet W. Mckenzie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: THM, THOMPSON FALLS, MT
- Destination: JAC, JACKSON HOLE, WY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 261 total, 75 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO, 35 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 19860306005669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860306005669A), Mar 6, 1986: Cessna 177, Anaconda, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine power loss. Hit one of the few trees on mountain slope. Fuel was 1/3 auto gas, no STC. No malfunction found.

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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