# NTSB LAX91LA027: Cessna 177A, N30438, Dana Point, CA, November 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1990, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Dana Point, CA
- Coordinates: 33.469238, -117.699333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4692&lon=-117.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.

## Analysis

THE PILOT NEGOTIATED THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS WITHOUT REFUELING. HE INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT TIME BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT LEG WAS 3.4 HOURS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT HE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 4.1 HOURS. ABOUT 35 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A PALM TREE AND CRASHED. THE PILOT TOLD RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF GAS. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL IN THE TANKS OR FUEL SPILLAGE. THE PILOT FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUEL CONSUMPTION USED WHILE EXECUTING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.

## 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 (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30438](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30438-1996-09-06), registration cancelled 1996-09-06, S/N 17701254 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1770-1254
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A24 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Giles, Wilma
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 848 total, 63 in this make and model, 794 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901111049669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901111049669A), Nov 11, 1990: Cessna 177A, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Wing struck a palm tree trying to land on a road.

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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