# NTSB LAX89LA323: Cessna 177RG, N52665, Tucson, AZ, September 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1989, 20:30 local (Sep 26, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149108, -110.929756 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1491&lon=-110.9298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA323

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S POWERPLANT CONTROLS. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN A CESSNA 177RG.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH, ABOUT 4-5 MI FROM THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. NO PRE-IMPACT RELATED MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE RAN SUCCESSFULLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT LATER STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD CONTINUED TO OPERATE THROUGHOUT THE APPROACH AND LANDING. THE PILOT HAD 5 HRS IN MAKE/MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52665](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52665-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 177RG1238, built 1977 (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: 1238
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Russell Wisler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 770 total, 5 in this make and model, 655 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 3 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 19890925035999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890925035999A), Sep 25, 1989: Cessna 177RG, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Reported engine went to idle. Forced down in a field short of airport. Struck utility poles.

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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