# NTSB DEN88FA128: Cessna 177RG, N1868Q, Afton, WY, December 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1987, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Afton, WY
- Coordinates: 42.720813, -110.920379 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7208&lon=-110.9204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA128

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS NOT CERTIFIED NOR EQUIPPED FOR FLT INTO ICING CONDITIONS. THE PLT ELECTED TO DEPART EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ADVISED BY THE CREW OF A C-182 THAT HAD JUST LNDD TO STAY BELOW THE CLOUDS BECAUSE OF ICING. AFTER TKOF THE ACFT CLEARED AN 11000 FT MTN RANGE BUT COLLIDED WITH THE NEXT RANGE WHILE IN A WINGS LEVEL DESCENT AT 9200 FT. THE ACFT WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL JUNE 14, 1988. RECORDS AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATE THAT THE WEATHER IN THE AREA OF THE ACCD AT THE TIME WAS OVERCAST SKIES WITH SNOW AND MODERATE ICING IN THE CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1868Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1868Q-1990-10-19), registration cancelled 1990-10-19, S/N 177RG0268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0268
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kingsley C. Rock, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1986
- Departed: AFO, AFTON, WY
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,114 total, 150 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS, 120 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 19871210070279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871210070279A), Dec 10, 1987: Cessna 177RG, Afton, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed under VFR conditions. Climbed out through a hole in the clouds. Has not been seen since.

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.