# NTSB FTW85FA358: Cessna 177RG, N2637V, Ennis, TX, September 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1985, 21:00 local (Sep 27, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Ennis, TX
- Coordinates: 32.329322, -96.619956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3293&lon=-96.6200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA358
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA358

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - unlocked (cause)
  - hydraulic system,pump - pressure too low (cause)
  - hydraulic system,line - cracked (cause)
  - fluid,hydraulic - dumped (cause)
  - hydraulic system,line - failure,partial (cause)
  - hydraulic system,line - fatigue (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT COULD NOT LOWER THE LANDING GEAR THROUGH USE OF THE NORMAL GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM. HE WAS ABLE TO PARTIALLY LOWER IT THROUGH THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM. NEXT HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. THE NOSE GEAR REMAINED DOWN BUT UNLOCKED WHILE THE MAIN GEARS FOLDED BACK INTO THEIR WHEEL WELLS. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF ITS HORIZONTAL STABILATOR STRUCK A SHORT WOOD POST AND BROUGHT THE AIRCRAFT TO A STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SUPPLY HAD BEEN DEPLEATED THROUGH A FATIGUE CRACKED ALUMINUM PRESSURE LINE, THUS CAUSING THE HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED LANDING GEAR SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE BY USE OF ITS NORMAL OR EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2637V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2637V-2012-02-06), registration cancelled 2012-02-06, S/N 177RG0637, 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: 177RG0637
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Feaster & David Fearis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Airport: F41, Ennis Muni., runway 33, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 20 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850926074979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850926074979A), Sep 26, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Ennis, TX, Substantial damage. Hydraulic pump bracket cracked, allowing movement to crack line to gear selector. Partial gear extension on landing.

## Other investigations on N2637V (2)

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 WPR11FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA186), Apr 5, 2011: Cessna 177RG (N2637V), Gila Bend, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to both sets of magneto points failing to open as a result of excessive wear of the magneto cam followers.
- [NTSB DEN99LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA096), Jun 6, 1999: Cessna 177RG (N2637V), Cheyenne, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate flight planning, and lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. Factor's were the pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight, and the subsequent engine power loss due to fuel…

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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