# NTSB FTW84FA243: Cessna 177B, N13871, Kinner, LA, May 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1984, 12:27 local (17:27 UTC)
- Place: Kinner, LA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21123
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21123/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA243

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - ignition system,magneto - loose
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE LOST ENG PWR AFTER DEPARTING THE NEW ORLEANS INT'L ARPT. THE FLT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE WATERS OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIH ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AND MARKED WITH A BUOY. DUE TO HIGH WINDS AND ROUGH WATER, THE ACFT WRECKAGE COULD NOT BE MOVED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. SUBSEQUENT RECOVERY WAS TO BE ATTEMPTED BUT THE BUOY HAD DISAPPEARED. AFTER APRX 3 TO 4 WEEKS THE WRECKAGE WAS RELOCATED AND RECOVERED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SCREW HOLDING THE CAM ACTIVATING THE IGNITION POINTS HAD SEPARATED. THE CAM THEN WAS ALLOWED TO ROTATE, ELIMINATING THE ACTIVATION OF THE POINTS. THE MAGNETO WAS CLEANED, THE CAM SCREW REINSTALLED AND THE POINTS SET FOR CORRECT OPENING. THE MAGNETO WAS INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE AND THEN STARTED USING AUX FUEL SUPPLY AND BATTERY PWR. THE ENGINE OPERATED AT ABOUT 2500 RPM WITH OIL PRESSURE OF 85 PSI. THE PROPELLER WAS OPERATED FROM LOW TO HIGH PITCH. THE MAGNETO POINTS WERE REPLACED 42 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13871 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702474
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Vick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1983
- Departed: MSY, KINNER, LA
- Destination: 2A3, BESSEMER, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,567 total, 175 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840527018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840527018929A), May 27, 1984: Cessna 177B, Kenner, LA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Rough engine, partial power, ditched, sunk. Screw holding dual magneto cam found loose in cover. Points not opening.

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.