# NTSB DEN86LA041: Cessna 177B, N13717, Billings, MT, December 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1985, 19:46 local (Dec 6, 1985, 02:46 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Location: 45.7833° N, 108.5007° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Billings, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7833&lon=-108.5007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA041

## 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 system - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FLD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE PREFLIGHT HE CHECKED THE FUEL LEVEL BY THE GAGES AND NOT VISUALLY. THE GAGES INDICATED SLIGHTLY OVER ONE-HALF FULL AT THAT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13717-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 17702459, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702459
- Airframe hours: 1261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6W 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur N. Fust
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1985, 44 hours before
- Departed: PWD, PLENTYWOOD, MT
- Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 713 total, 221 in this make and model, 649 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 39 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 45 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 19851205060869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851205060869A), Dec 5, 1985: Cessna 177B, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Failed to visually check fuel quantity in tanks, relied on inaccurate fuel gauges. Out of fuel. Damaged 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.

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