# NTSB DEN89LA126: Cessna 177B, N17184, Fort Collins, CO, May 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1989, 23:15 local (May 28, 1989, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.549991, -105.059967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5500&lon=-105.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA126

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. THE DARK NIGHT AND TERRAIN CONDITION WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN MAKING A POPPING SOUND, THEN LOST POWER. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN AREA WHERE THE RWY WAS BEING EXTENDED AN ADDITIONAL 2000 FT. WHILE LANDING, THE GEAR COLLAPSED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT & A SUBSEQUENT ENG RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE RPRTD POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17184-2019-01-14), registration cancelled 2019-01-14, S/N 17702512, 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 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702512
- Airframe hours: 4125
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fort Collins Aviation
- Registered owner: A & M Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1989, 60 hours before
- Departed: FNL
- Destination: FNL
- Airport: Ft Collins/Loveland, runway 33, 6,504 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 19 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890527013099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890527013099A), May 27, 1989: Cessna 177B, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Reported engined failed on initial climbout. Crash landed. Engine ran normal on post accident test.

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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