# NTSB DEN92LA037: Cessna 177RG, N2550V, Durango, CO, February 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1992, 12:18 local (19:18 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.269355, -107.879394 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2694&lon=-107.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA037

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE.  FACTORS WERE:  ROUGH AND UNEVEN SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE AFTER TAKEOFF ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 900 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  THE PILOT EXECUTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD WHICH WAS ROUGH, UNEVEN, AND COVERED WITH SNOW. THE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2550V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2550V-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 177RG0613, built 1974 (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: 177RG0613
- Airframe hours: 3435
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheppard Afb Flying Club
- Registered owner: Sheppard Afb Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 1991, 70 hours before
- Destination: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,718 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,396 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 2 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 19920223003369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920223003369A), Feb 23, 1992: Cessna 177RG, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Loud bang on climbout. Oil on windshield. Crash landed in snow. Engine had thrown connecting rod thru engine case.

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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