# NTSB LAX86LA044: Cessna 177, N3459T, Stockton, CA, November 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1985, 19:34 local (Nov 22, 1985, 03:34 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.900329, -121.40081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9003&lon=-121.4008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - aircraft preflight - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - lack of (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - siphoning (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

AFTER PERFORMING A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF HIS ACFT, THE PIC ALONG WITH A CFI WHO WAS ACTING AS HIS SAFETY PLT, AND ANOTHER PASSENGER DEPARTED. THE CFI REPORTEDLY HAD LOGGED OVER 19,000 HOURS & POSSESSED AN ATP CERTIFICATE. THE PIC DID NOT REPORT HAVING ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WITH ANY ACFT COMPONENT, & STATED THAT THE ACFT'S FUEL GAUGES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. DURING A PRACTICE NDB APPROACH, THE FUEL GAUGES REGISTERED 'EMPTY' & ALL ENG PWR WAS LOST. THE PIC MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A VINEYARD FIVE MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE LEFT TANK'S FUEL CAP WAS NOT LOCATED AT THE LANDING SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3459T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3459T-2009-08-21), registration cancelled 2009-08-21, S/N 17700759, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700759
- Airframe hours: 1374
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth V. Miselis, M.D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1985, 103 hours before
- Departed: 020, LODI, CA
- Destination: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Airport: SCK, Stockton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 422 total, 64 in this make and model, 341 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 5 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 19851121076239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851121076239A), Nov 21, 1985: Cessna 177, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. Misjudged fuel quantity on preflight. Ran out of fuel on practice NDB approach. Hit plants landing in a vineyard.

## Other investigations on N3459T (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 SEA08FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA036), Nov 22, 2007: Cessna 177 (N3459T), Auburn, CA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment during…

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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