# NTSB FTW95LA058: Cessna 177, N29400, Katy, TX, December 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 1994, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Katy, TX - Coordinates: 29.75031, -95.740036 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7503&lon=-95.7400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19315/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA058 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis THE PILOT DEPARTED SKY LAKE AIRPORT, WALLER, TEXAS, EARLIER IN THE DAY, AND FLEW TO HOUSTON, LAKESIDE AIRPORT TO PICK UP SOME FUEL ADDITIVE. HE DEPARTED LAKESIDE AIRPORT ON A RETURN FLIGHT TO WALLER, TEXAS, AND HAD LEVELED OFF AT 1,600 FEET MSL WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD, HE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD, STRUCK A ROADWAY MEDIAN, AND CAME TO REST 237 FEET FROM THE INITIAL TOUCH DOWN POINT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF USABLE FUEL IN EITHER FUEL TANK, AND THE FUEL STRAINER CONTAINED LESS THAN A FOURTH OF A CUP OF FUEL. THE FIRE WALL WAS BUCKLED, THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WAS BENT AFT, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKS. THE PILOT STATED IN THE PILOT/OPERATOR REPORT THAT HE DEPARTED SKY LAKE AIRPORT WITH AT LEAST 21 GALLONS OF FUEL, AND HE COULD NOT 'PREDICT INFLIGHT LOSS OF FUEL.' ## Factual narrative On December 4, 1994, at 1615 central standard time, a Cessna 177, N29400, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Katy, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot reported the following information to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. He departed Sky Lake Airport, Waller, Texas, earlier in the day, and flew to Houston, Lakeside Airport to pick up some fuel additive. He departed Lakeside Airport on a return flight to Waller, Texas, and had leveled off at 1,600 feet MSL when the engine lost power. During the forced landing to a field, he attempted several times to restart the engine without success. The pilot stated in the pilot/operator report that he departed Sky Lake Airport with at least 21 gallons of fuel, and he could not "predict inflight loss of fuel." Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector, determined the aircraft touched down in a field, struck a roadway median, and came to rest 237 feet from the initial touch down point. The FAA inspector further reported there was no evidence of usable fuel in either fuel tank, and the fuel strainer contained less than a forth of a cup of fuel. The fire wall was buckled, the nose landing gear was bent aft, and there was no evidence of fuel leaks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29400](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29400), registered now, S/N 17700864 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (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: 17700864 - Airframe hours: 1600 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-360-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bissonnet, William J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1994 - Departed: IWS, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: 3XS7, WALLER, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 535 total, 419 in this make and model, 535 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19941204044159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941204044159A), Dec 4, 1994: Cessna 177, Katy, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed open field struck roadway median and beyond. No usable fuel on board. ## Other investigations on N29400 (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 IAD79FIG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FIG08), Jun 20, 1979: Cessna 177 (N29400), Westminster, MD, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.