# NTSB DEN92LA059: Cessna 177RG, N52658, Gunnison, CO, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 11:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.540634, -106.920219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5406&lon=-106.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  FACTOR(S) INCLUDED: FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE MISJUDGING OF FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

AFTER TOPPING OFF THE 60 GALLON USABLE FUEL TANKS AT CENTENNIAL AIRPORT, ENGLEWOOD, CO, THE PILOT RECEIVED TWO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHTS TOTALLING 3.1 HOURS.  THREE DAYS LATER, HE AND TWO PASSENGERS FLEW TO NUCLA, CO, IN 1.7 HOURS, AND PURCHASED 15 GALLONS OF FUEL.  THEY CONTINUED ON TO BULLFROG BASIN, UT, IN 0.9 HOURS.  ON THE RETURN TRIP THE NEXT DAY, AFTER FLYING 1.2 HOURS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. DURING LANDING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR ENTERED SOFT GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE RETRIEVAL CREW SAID THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PILOT SAID HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FLY TO GUNNISON, CO, IN 1.4 HOURS WITH AN 8 GALLON RESERVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52658](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52658-1995-01-31), registration cancelled 1995-01-31, S/N 177RG1234 (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: 177RG1234
- Airframe hours: 1930
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Newkirk, John J.
- Registered owner: Colorado Computer Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1991, 165 hours before
- Departed: U07, BULLFROG, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 175 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## 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 19920614023909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614023909A), Jun 14, 1992: Cessna 177RG, Gunnison, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Ground looped landing on highway when right wheel ran off road into mud. Fuel tanks were empty

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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