# NTSB LAX83LA129: Cessna 177B, N35105, Arvin, CA, March 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1983, 20:40 local (Mar 9, 1983, 04:40 UTC)
- Place: Arvin, CA
- Coordinates: 35.080574, -118.790061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0806&lon=-118.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND, THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED THE LEFT TANK WAS 1/4 FULL & THE RIGHT TANK WAS 1/8 FULL WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROADWAY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POLES & WIRES & CRASHED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD 'DIPPED THE TANKS' DURING HIS PREFLT & HE FELT SURE HE HAD ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE FLT. DEPUTIES FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE INSPECTED THE ACFT & FOUND THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35105](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35105-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 17702210 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702210
- Airframe hours: 2896
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald Paperno
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1982
- Departed: WHPP, PACOIMA, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,113 total, 51 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830308008529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830308008529A), Mar 8, 1983: Cessna 177B, Arvin, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N35105 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA85FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA225), Sep 22, 1985: Cessna 177BII (N35105), Lolo Pass, ID, destroyed, 3 fatal

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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