# NTSB LAX97LA193: Cessna 177, N53079, Rota, Sark, May 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1997, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Rota, Sark - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29799/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA193 ## Probable cause the unauthorized use of automobile gasoline which led to the loss of engine power due to fuel vapor generation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause) - fuel supply - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The aircraft had been airborne for 30 minutes cruising at 4,500 feet msl when it lost fuel pressure and engine power, and ditched in the ocean. The aircraft was not recovered. The pilot reported they departed with 30 plus gallons of automotive gasoline for the 130 mile trip. According to the engine manufacturer this engine was designed for a minimum of 91/96 aviation grade fuel. There are FAA Supplemental Type Certificates for the use of automobile gasoline in this engine with requirements to verify the specifications of the auto gas being used, and information about the increased tendency for carburetor icing and vapor generation with its use. The aircraft records were obtained from FAA Oklahoma City, and no record of approval for the use of automobile gasoline via FAA form 337 was found. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1997, about 1320 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177, N53079, was destroyed after ditching at sea near Rota Island in the Marianas, following a loss of engine power. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Saipan en route to Agana, Guam. The aircraft was in cruise flight at 5,000 feet msl, about 15 miles southwest of Rota, when the pilot declared an emergency due to engine failure. The aircraft ditched near Harnom Point, about 1/2 mile southwest of Rota. The aircraft sank shortly after the ditching and both pilots were rescued by a fishing vessel. The aircraft was not recovered. The pilot reported the flight was level at 4,500 feet msl and at 30 minutes into the 130-mile return flight to Guam and 10 to 12 miles south of Rota, the aircraft lost fuel pressure and then engine power. He reported that the aircraft departed Saipan with 30 plus gallons of automotive fuel onboard. According to the manufacturer, the engine was designed for 91/96 grade aviation fuel. There are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificates that allow the use of automotive gasoline. The approval establishes approved fuel as: unleaded automotive gasoline, 87 minimum antiknock index per ASTM specification D-439/D-4814. Do not use gasoline containing alcohol. With the approvals are requirements to verify the specifications of the auto gas being used and information about the increased tendency for carburetor icing and vapor generation with its use. The aircraft records were obtained from the FAA in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. No approval via FAA form 337 for the use of automobile gasoline was found. According to the engine manufacturer's Service Letter No. L199, they do not approve the use of any fuel other than those aviation grades specified in their latest edition of service instruction No. 1070L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53079](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53079-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 17700533 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700533 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward C. Arriola - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1997 - Departed: PGSN, SAIPAN, OF - Destination: PGUM, GUAM, OF - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GRO ## 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 19970525011859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970525011859A), May 25, 1997: Cessna 177, Rota, PS, Destroyed. Mayday due engine failure. Ditched in ocean. 177 sank. People resued by fish vessel. Mogas in use. No STC. ## Other investigations on N53079 (2) 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 ANC80DAG79](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG79), Jul 10, 1980: Cessna 185 (N53079), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC77DAA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAA05), Nov 12, 1976: Cessna 185 (N53079), Wiseman, AK, substantial damage 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.