# NTSB IAD03LA006: Cessna 177RG, N7510V, South Vienna, OH, October 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 2002, 20:30 local (Oct 13, 2002, 00:30 UTC) - Place: South Vienna, OH - Coordinates: 39.929164, -83.609443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9292&lon=-83.6094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55981 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55981/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55981 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA006 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the single drive, dual magneto, which resulted in its separation from the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power. Factors included the crops in the forced landing field, and the night lighting conditions. ## 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, cruise - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - ignition system,magneto - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - light condition - night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a night flight, while in cruise, there was a burning odor, which momentarily intensified, followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine, and performed a forced landing to a "dark spot" which turned out to be a soybean field. Examination of the engine revealed that the single drive, dual magneto had separated from its attachment point on the engine, and was lying in the engine cowling. The magneto attachment hardware was also located in the engine cowling, and examination of the lock washer revealed no signs of being torqued. In addition, the studs that were used to attach the magneto to the engine accessory housing were not damaged. The magneto had been removed and reinstalled during a replacement of the engine crankcase, which occurred approximately 60 hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 2002, at 2030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N7510V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in South Vienna, Ohio, following a total loss of engine power. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were seriously injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at Mad River Airport (I54), Tremont City, Ohio, destined for Madison County Airport (UYF), London, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the airplane was about 7 miles from the Madison County Airport, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, when the pilot began to smell something burning. The odor continued to intensify, and the engine lost total power. The pilot then applied full mixture, turned the electric fuel pump on, and cycled the fuel selector position from "both," through the "left," and "right" positions, and back to "both". He also cycled the magneto switch, and attempted to maintain 70 knots of airspeed. The pilot reported that he could see the airport, and activated the pilot-controlled lights; however, he knew he would not be able to make it to the airport. The pilot then aimed for a "dark spot" on the ground and kept the landing gear retracted, as he was unsure of the terrain beneath him. The pilot attempted to maintain an airspeed of 60 knots during the descent and did not flare during the landing, since he could not see the ground. The airplane then impacted a soybean field in a nose-down attitude and came to rest upright. Several witnesses observed the airplane flying overhead, and stated that the engine was not producing power prior to impact. One witness stated he could only hear "the swoosh of the wings" as the airplane "glided in." Another witness stated that the "motor was not on," and it appeared the pilot was "trying to make it to the airport." Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the single mounted/dual magneto had come off its mounting studs, and was lying in the engine cowling. Upon removal of the cowling, the mounting hardware for the magneto was observed, which consisted of two magneto attachment blocks, one nut, and one 5/16" lock washer. Examination of the washer revealed no impressions of being torqued. The two studs that were used to attach the magneto to the engine accessory housing were not damaged. Examination of maintenance records revealed that the magneto was removed during disassembly of the engine for crankcase repair on July 3, 2002, approximately 60 hours prior to the accident. The engine was reinstalled on the airplane on July 19, 2002, at which time an annual inspection was performed. The weather reported at Dayton International Airport (DAY), Dayton, Ohio, at 1954, included winds from 210 degrees, at 6 knots, 5 miles visibility with haze, few clouds at 3,900 feet, broken clouds at 5,500 feet, temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 30.08 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7510V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7510V-2003-07-10), registration cancelled 2003-07-10, S/N 177RG0808, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0808 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: Avco Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Campbell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 2002, 60 hours before - Departed: I54, Tremont City, OH - Destination: UYF, London, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 7, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 634 total, 278 in this make and model, 603 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: DAY, 35 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 20021012035699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021012035699A), Oct 12, 2002: Cessna 177RG, South Vienna, OH, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 12, 2002, at 2030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N7510V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55981. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Witness Interviews (item 3, .PDF, 826 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interviews-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 4, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.