# NTSB LAX86LA199: Cessna 177RG, N34020, Placerville, CA, April 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1986, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.730426, -120.800659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7304&lon=-120.8007&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): 25142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA199

## 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 - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - chafed (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - cracked (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO SAN FRANCISCO, CA THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERSPEED & THE PROP GOV CONTROL WAS NOT EFFECTIVE IN ARRESTING/CONTROLLING THE OVERSPEED CONDITION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DEPLETED TO ZERO. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN THE ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR. THE PLT & PAX WERE RESCUED BY LOCAL BOATERS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THE GOVERNOR OIL PRESSURE LINE WAS CHAFFING AGAINST THE ENGINE CRANKCASE AND FRACTURED. THE LINE WAS NOT SECURED WITH CLAMPS AS REQUIRED BY THE AVCO LYCOMING MAINTENANCE MANUAL. A 100-HOUR INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE ACFT THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34020](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34020-1988-11-28), registration cancelled 1988-11-28, S/N 177RG0950 (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: 177RG0950
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AIB6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Puc Flight Service
- Registered owner: Ellis R. Rich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: TVL, SO. LAKE TAHOE, CA
- Destination: SFO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- Airport: TVL, So. Lake Tahoe

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 409 total, 12 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 16 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 19860429015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860429015219A), Apr 29, 1986: Cessna 177RG, Placerville, CA, Destroyed. Pilot ditched aircraft in a lake due to vibration and oil loss. Prop governor line chafed. 1 hour since 100 hour.

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.