# NTSB LAX87FA093: Cessna 177RG, N123DJ, S Lake Tahoe, CA, January 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1987, 22:15 local (Jan 19, 1987, 06:15 UTC)
- Place: S Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING AT NIGHT FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC & REQUESTED RADAR FLT FOLLOWING. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID HE WAS REVERSING COURSE WITH A LOSS OF ENG POWER. RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST AS IT WAS RETURNING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE WEST FACE OF A MOUNTAIN ABOUT 10 MI WEST OF THE DEP ARPT. DUE TO ITS REMOTE LOCATION, THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT EXAMINED UNTIL IT WAS RECOVERED ON 6/4/87. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123DJ-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 177RG1366 (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: 177RG 1366
- Airframe hours: 708
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold J. Maggard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1986, 277 hours before
- Departed: TVL, S LAKE TAHOE, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 794 total, 239 in this make and model, 41 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 41 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 19870118002069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870118002069A), Jan 18, 1987: Cessna STC177, South Lake Taho, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Reported engine quit on climb to cruise. Turned back and descended into a mountainside. Right tank empty. Fuel off.

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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