# NTSB DEN88LA034: Cessna 177RG, N8035G, Great Falls, MT, December 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1987, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Great Falls, MT
- Location: 47.5025° N, 111.3000° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Great Falls, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5025&lon=-111.3000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA034

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. AFTER FINDING THAT THE STARTER WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE PLT TRIED TO MANUALLY REPOSITON THE PROPELLER. THE IGNITION WAS STILL ON AND THE ENGINE FIRED. THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE PLT'S RIGHT LEG.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - starting engine(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,ignition switch - engaged (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8035G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8035G-2021-10-01), registration cancelled 2021-10-01, S/N 177RG0035, built 1970 (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: 177RG0035
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter Loeffler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Destination: FAR, FARGO, ND
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 854 total, 299 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 19 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTF

## 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 19871206069569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871206069569A), Dec 6, 1987: Cessna 177RG, Great Falls, MT, Minor damage. Pilot injured by propeller while trying to hand start the aircraft. Forgot to turn ignition off. Leg severed at knee

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.