# NTSB LAX82DA057: Cessna 177B, N35289, Elko, NV, January 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1982, 12:43 local (20:43 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.949851, -115.789466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9499&lon=-115.7895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA057

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - deteriorated (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - siphoning (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT STATED THAT HE HAD "TOPPED THE TANKS" AFTER THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT. THE PILOT OF THIS FLIGHT SAID THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL BEFORE TAKEOFF.DURING FLIGHT, THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE CONTINUED TO INDICATE FULL. ABOUT 15 MILES FROM ELKO, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER. AT THAT TIME, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 1/4 FULL AND THE RIGHT GUAGE STILL INDICATED FULL. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY USING EITHER TANK. THE PLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. AN INSPECTION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS. WITH THE MASTER SWITCH ON, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY AND THE RIGHT GAUGE INDICATED FULL. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE TOPS OF BOTH WINGS. A PRESSURE CHECK REVEALED EXTENSIVE LEAKAGE FROM THE LEFT WING. THE LEFT WING FUEL CAP PLIABLE SEAL WAS FOUND TO BE DRIED OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35289](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35289-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 17702309, built 1975 (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: 17702309
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Long Beach Flying Club
- Departed: EKO, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: LGB, ELKO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 232 total, 7 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Observed at: EKO

## 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 19820130002369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820130002369A), Jan 30, 1982: Cessna 177B, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Possible fuel siphoning from leaky fuel caps.

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.

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