# NTSB FTW91LA167: Cessna 177B, N34980, Lake Charles, LA, September 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1991, 19:55 local (Sep 28, 1991, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Coordinates: 30.20914, -93.199974 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2091&lon=-93.2000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA167

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM A COMPLETE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS SON DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR A SHORT, SCENIC, LOCAL NIGHT FLIGHT. APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PILOT REPORTED ON MODIFIED RIGHT BASE TO RUNWAY 33 FOR A FULL STOP LANDING. THE ENGINE FAILED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED BY THE PILOT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A GUIDE WIRE WHEN THE PILOT TRIED TO FLY BENEATH AND AVOID POWER LINES, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. BOTH FUEL CELLS WERE FOUND TO BE EMPTY. THE PILOT STATED THAT FOUR HOURS AND FIFTY FOUR MINUTES OF FLIGHT TIME HAD ELAPSED SINCE HE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SERVICED WITH FUEL. HE HAD ESTIMATED HE HAD TWO HOURS OF FUEL REMAINING PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON THE HOUR LONG FLIGHT. HE STATED HE DID NOT USUALLY CHECK HIS FUEL SUPPLY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34980](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34980), registered now, S/N 17702132, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702132
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gaylin M. Allen
- Registered owner: Gaylin M. Allen
- Airport: LCH, Lake Charles Regional, runway 33, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 352 total, 92 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910927043599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910927043599A), Sep 27, 1991: Cessna 177B, Lake Charles, LA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final for landing from a local sightseeing flight. Struck guide wire on night forced landing.

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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