# NTSB FTW89LA076: Cessna 177, N3313T, Abilene, TX, March 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1989, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA076

## Probable cause

THE COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING THE DESCENT INTO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3313T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3313T-1992-02-19), registration cancelled 1992-02-19, S/N 17700613 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1770613
- Airframe hours: 2051
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mcdonald, Roger D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: 3F2, CISCO, TX
- Destination: ABI, ABILENE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 188 total, 14 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 5 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 19890330005029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890330005029A), Mar 30, 1989: Cessna 177, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Unable to fuel at en route stop,elected to fly to destination. Ran out of fuel. Landed in field,collapsed nose gear

## Other investigations on N3313T (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 LAX76DUQ46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DUQ46), Jul 22, 1976: Cessna 177 (N3313T), Lancaster, CA, substantial damage

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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