# NTSB ERA15CA048: Cessna 177, N3339T, Landrum, SC, November 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 8, 2014, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Landrum, SC - Coordinates: 35.170783, -82.180252 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1708&lon=-82.1803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 90379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90379/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90379 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while enroute on a cross country flight the engine began to "sputter" before experiencing a total loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency and performed a forced landing on a dirt road, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported that his fuel calculation requirements for the flight were incorrect, and as a result of his miscalculation, the airplane ran out of fuel. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while enroute on a cross country flight the engine began to "sputter" before experiencing a total loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency and performed a forced landing on a dirt road, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported that his fuel calculation requirements for the flight were incorrect, and as a result of his miscalculation, the airplane ran out of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3339T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3339T), registered now, S/N 17700639 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700639 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3434 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hayford David P - Registered owner: Hayford David P - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 26, 2013 - Departed: VLL, Troy, MI - Destination: GMU, Greenville, SC - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 352 total, 336 in this make and model, 298 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: GMU, 13 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 20141108021899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141108021899A), Nov 8, 2014: Cessna 177, Landrum, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot departed kvll and was enroute to kgmu non-stop. Aircraft ran out of fuel sw of Landrum, SC which is approximately 20 NM NE of kgmu. ## Other investigations on N3339T (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC69F0407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69F0407), Mar 23, 1969: Cessna 177 (N3339T), Connellsville, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90379. 7.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Buckled Firewall (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Buckled%20Firewall%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Buckled Firewall Right Side (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Buckled%20Firewall%20Right%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3- Fuselage Buckling Aft of Nose Wheel (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-%20Fuselage%20Buckling%20Aft%20of%20Nose%20Wheel%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.