# NTSB LAX07CA146: Cessna 177RG, N177R, Perris, CA, April 30, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2007, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Perris, CA - Coordinates: 33.756942, -117.263885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7569&lon=-117.2639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Textron Lycoming, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65725 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65725/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA146 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power while in cruise flight due to an improperly installed magneto housing by the owner/pilot. ## 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 - ignition system,ignition harness - disconnected (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. Approximately 12 nautical miles into the flight, the engine abruptly lost power. The pilot decided that he would attempt to land at a nearby airport but did not have sufficient altitude and the airplane landed 2.51 nautical miles short of the runway. During the engine examination, investigators noted that the cap and harness assembly of the single drive duel magneto was separated from the magneto. Closer examination revealed significant fretting signatures where the cap is seated against the housing of the magneto and was supposed to have been secured by four screws. There were no screws observed or found. There were no impact energy damage signatures on the cap, magneto, ignition harness, or firewall. The pilot stated that he was the last person to have the harness off the magneto. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2007, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N177R, experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during a forced landing near Perris, California. 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 cross-country personal flight departed Temecula, California, about 1130, with a planned destination of Fullerton, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 33 degrees 45.25 minutes north latitude and 117 degrees 15.50 minutes west longitude. The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane with 28.22 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel prior to departing. After departure, approximately 12 nautical miles into the flight, the engine abruptly lost power. The pilot decided that he would attempt to land at the Perris Valley airport (L65) a short distance away. The accident site was 2.51 nautical miles away from L65. Investigators from the FAA and Textron Lycoming arrived at the site on May 1, 2007, to examine the airplane with assistance from Aircraft Recovery Service personnel. They reported that the airplane had initially contacted a stand of trees, continuing along an energy path where the airplane struck the ground and came to rest at the base of a large tree. During the engine examination, investigators noted that the cap and harness assembly of the single drive duel magneto separated from the magneto. Closer examination revealed significant fretting signatures where the cap is seated against the housing of the magneto by four screws. There were no screws observed or found. There were no impact energy damage signatures on the cap, magneto, ignition harness, or firewall. The FAA coordinator interviewed the pilot who told him that he was the last person to have the magneto harness off of the magneto. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177R-2008-03-07), registration cancelled 2008-03-07, S/N 177RG0955, built 1976 (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: 177RG0955 - Airframe hours: 4603 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006 - Departed: F70, MURRIETA/TEMECU, CA - Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA - Airport: L65, Perris Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 8,280 total, 5,700 in this make and model, 8,280 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 17 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 20070430006649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070430006649A), Apr 30, 2007: Cessna 177RG, Perris, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Due to unspecified mechanical problems, pilot force landed in a residential area in good hope, CA striking a tree. 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.