# NTSB LAX86LA136: Cessna 177B, N18174, Tehachapi, CA, March 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1986, 11:13 local (19:13 UTC)
- Place: Tehachapi, CA
- Coordinates: 35.120933, -118.510536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1209&lon=-118.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA136

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DETERMINING THE TAKEOFF WT OF THE ACFT WOULD BE OVER THE MAX GROSS, THE PLT ASKED THE OPERATOR THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TO DRAIN 20 GALS OF FUEL FROM THE TANKS.A PLT WHO FLEW THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLT SAID HE FLEW FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR AND DID NOT REFUEL THE ACFT DUE TO A BROKEN GAS PIT FUEL PUMP. THE ARPT MGR SAID HE REMOVED 15 GALS FROM THE TANKS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT, BUT DID NOT LOOK IN THE TANKS PRIOR TO THE DEFUELING. ON THE DAY OF DEPT THE PLT PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT BUT DID NOT USE A DIP STICK TO CHECK THE ACTUAL FUEL QUANTITY. THE PLT SAID WHEN THE ACFT MASTER SWITCH WAS ENERGIZED THE RT FUEL GAUGE READ 'ALMOST EMPTY' AND THE LT GAUGE 'LESS THAN ONE HALF.' THE PLT SAID HE 'ASSUMED THE GAUGES WERE INCORRECT' AND DEPARTED IFR FOR THE DESTINATION. ABOUT 2.8 HRS INTO THE FLT IN IFR CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND NO FUEL IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18174](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18174), registered now, S/N 17702535, built 1976 (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: 17702535
- Airframe hours: 2590
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sacramento Aero Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1985, 149 hours before
- Departed: Q96, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TSP, Tehachapi

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 247 total, 7 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19860307005699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860307005699A), Mar 7, 1986: Cessna 177B, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion en route. Descended thru clouds and made a safe landing. Struck a pole on road.

## Other investigations on N18174 (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 LAX94LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA026), Oct 28, 1993: Cessna 177B (N18174), Pleasant Grove, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE STARTER TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION.

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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