# NTSB FTW85LA290: Cessna 177B, N20164, Guthrie, OK, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Guthrie, OK
- Coordinates: 35.840213, -97.420631 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8402&lon=-97.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA290

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - jammed (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE LOST ENG POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND DURING INITIAL CLIMB. HE ELECTED TO GO INTO THE TREES DUE TO LACK OF ALTITUDE TO ALLOW A MORE SUITABLE LANDING AREA. AN ENG EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. FOUR EXHAUST VALVE WAS STUCK OPEN DUE TO A CARBON BUILD UP ON THE ROUGH SURFACE INSIDE THE VALVE GUIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20164](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20164-1988-05-02), registration cancelled 1988-05-02, S/N 17702638 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1702638
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: L. H. Underwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1985, 441 hours before
- Destination: E42, SPEARMAN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 834 total, 367 in this make and model, 569 as pilot in command, 345 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 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 19850717031749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717031749A), Jul 17, 1985: Cessna 177B, Guthrie, OK, Destroyed. Struck a tree after engine power loss on takeoff. Exhaust valve frozen in its guide by carbon buildup.

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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