# NTSB LAX05CA205: Cessna 177B, N177BJ, Fallon, NV, June 15, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2005, 06:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Fallon, NV - Coordinates: 39.499168, -118.748886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4992&lon=-118.7489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61721/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA205 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane lost engine power and impacted terrain short of the runway. The pilot reported that work was going to be done on the fuel gauges later that morning. In order for the work to be done, all the fuel had to be drained from the airplane. The pilot stated that he measured the fuel levels and decided that he had enough for a 1-hour flight, and decided to practice touch-and-go landings. The pilot made two successful touch-and-goes. On his third takeoff, about halfway down the runway, at 40-50 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he prepared for an emergency landing beyond the runway. At that point, the engine regained power, and the airplane began to climb in order to turn back around towards the runway. Before completing the turn, the engine lost power again. The airplane impacted terrain about 1/4-mile from the airport. No fuel was found in the strainer and about 1 cup of fuel was recovered from the fuel reservoir tank. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2005, about 0635 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N177BJ, lost engine power and impacted terrain short of the runway at the Fallon Municipal Airport, Fallon, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed 0600. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that work was going to be done on the fuel gauges later that morning. In order for the work to be done, all the fuel had to be drained from the airplane. The pilot stated that he measured the fuel levels and decided that he had enough for a 1-hour flight, and decided to practice touch-and-go landings. The pilot made two successful touch-and-goes. On his third takeoff, about halfway down the runway, at 40-50 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he prepared for an emergency landing beyond the runway. At that point, the engine regained power, and the airplane began to climb in order to turn back around towards the runway. Before completing the turn, the engine lost power again. The airplane impacted terrain about a 1/4-mile from the airport. No fuel was found in the strainer and about 1 cup of fuel was recovered from the fuel reservoir tank. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177BJ-2006-09-18), registration cancelled 2006-09-18, S/N 17701655, built 1971 (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: 17701655 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leslie Jackson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FLX, Fallon, NV - Destination: FLX - Airport: FLX, Fallon Municipal Airport, runway 21, 5,703 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 899 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KNFL ## 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 20050615011269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050615011269A), Jun 15, 2005: Cessna 177B, Fallon, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft ran out of fuel shortly after takeoff while performing touch-and-goes. 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.