# NTSB FTW84LA377: Cessna 177B, N19953, Texas City, TX, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1984, 22:15 local (Sep 1, 1984, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Texas City, TX
- Location: 29.3838° N, 94.9027° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Texas City, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3838&lon=-94.9027&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21452/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA377

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING THE PRE-FLT INSPECTION THE FUEL TANKS WERE CHECKED BY DIPPING HIS FINGERS INTO THE TANKS TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL REMAINED. NEITHER TANK WAS FULL BUT THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT SUFFICIENT FUEL REMAINED FOR THE FLT. ABOVE THE FUEL GAGES IN THE ACFT WAS A LABEL TAPED TOTHE INST PANEL STATING THAT THE INDICATORS WERE UNRELIABLE. DESCENDING THROUGH 2,300 FT APRX 7 MILES FROM THE DEST ARPT THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLLOUT ON A HIGHWAY THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A GUARD RAIL POST SEPARATING THE WING FROM THE ACFT. THE RATED PLT PAX REPORTED THAT WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED THE PLT SAID 'WE'RE OUT OF GAS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N19953 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702615
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Bolser
- Registered owner: Tom Sams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: F70, FORT WORTH, TX
- Destination: GLS, GALVESTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 10 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19840831048059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840831048059A), Aug 31, 1984: Cessna 177B, Texas City, TX, Substantial damage. Miscalculated fuel quanity and en route time. Fuel exhaustion. Landed on road. Struck sign posts and guard rail.

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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