# NTSB FTW99LA250: Cessna 177, N29317, Austin, TX, August 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1999, 17:56 local (22:56 UTC) - Place: Austin, TX - Coordinates: 30.169891, -97.820915 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1699&lon=-97.8209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47304 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47304/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=47304 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA250 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane. ## 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, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot made a forced landing to a field following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot confirmed that both wing fuel tanks were full prior to the first flight of the day by observing fuel leaking from the overflow vent of the left wing tank, and feeling for fuel with his fingers in the right wing fuel tank. He flew the first flight of 1.9 hours duration. Prior to the second flight, he did not visually confirm the amount of fuel in the tanks, but noted that the fuel quantity indicators in the cockpit indicated 1/2. The airplane flew approximately 1.9 hours on the second flight, when the engine lost total power. During the ensuing forced landing on a field, the airplane contacted a tree and came to a stop upright. The pilot stated that the airplane 'ran out of fuel.' ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1999, at 1756 central daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N29317, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Austin, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Travland Aero as Metro One. The commercial pilot and his one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The local flight originated from the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, Texas, at 1600. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to perform aerial observation of traffic for local news stations. The pilot stated that prior to the first of the two flights scheduled for the day, he confirmed that the left wing fuel tank was full by observing that the overflow vent for the fuel tank was dripping fuel. He then placed a finger in the right wing fuel tank to determine the fuel level. He "barely shook the wing and felt and saw a wet finger." He then flew the first flight, a morning traffic observation flight of 1.9 hours duration. He returned to the airport at 1600 the same day for the second flight. He confirmed by referencing the hour meter that the airplane had not been flown since the morning flight, although he did not visually check the amount of fuel in the tanks. He noted that the fuel quantity indicators in the cockpit indicated one half for the left and right fuel tanks, and the flight departed. At 1745, the engine began to "run rough." He switched the fuel tank selector from the "RIGHT TANK" to the "BOTH" position. The engine ran "smoothly" for approximately 10 minutes. The airplane was at 1,100 feet when the engine "spit and sputtered" and lost total power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down and became airborne a second time. The airplane traveled an additional 70 feet, contacted a tree (3 inches in diameter), and came to a stop upright. The pilot stated during a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator that the airplane "ran out of fuel." According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the engine firewall was wrinkled and the nose landing gear collapsed. He added that a visual inspection of the fuel tanks revealed that no fuel was present in either of the two wing fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29317](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29317-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 17700808, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700808 - Airframe hours: 3520 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence D. Travland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1998, 583 hours before - Departed: AUS, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,426 total, 392 in this make and model, 1,173 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AUS ## 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 19990809044489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990809044489A), Aug 9, 1999: Cessna 177, Austin, TX, No damage. (-23) The PIC of Cessna N29317 (metro 1) was flying traffic watch over the city of Austin, Texas on August 9, 1999. At approx. 2255 UTC, the a/c lost power,… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2000, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=47304. 1.1 MB in all. - Supplement S (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40116893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Pilot)-Redacted.PDF - Attachment to 6120.1/2 from Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40116895&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Attachment%20to%206120.1%2F2%20from%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Operator)-Redacted.PDF 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.