# NTSB MIA88LA268: Cessna 177, N2357Y, Polk City, FL, September 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1988, 20:25 local (Sep 15, 1988, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Polk City, FL
- Location: 28.1805° N, 81.8300° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Polk City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1805&lon=-81.8300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA268

## 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
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT FAILED TO INSURE ACFT HAD ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR FLT. THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. THE PLT SAID THAT HE EXPERIENCED STRONGER THAN EXPECTED HEAD WINDS. POST ACC INVEST REVEALED THAT THE ACFT FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY WITH NO EVIDENCE OF SPILLAGE OR LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2357Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2357Y-2011-08-19), registration cancelled 2011-08-19, S/N 17700157, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700157
- Airframe hours: 1297
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Howard Whitmire
- Registered owner: Miles D Dick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1987, 93 hours before
- Departed: 40J, PERRY, FL
- Destination: GIF, WINTER HAVEN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 53 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 80° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 35 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 19880914071129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880914071129A), Sep 14, 1988: Cessna 177, Polk City, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Struck powerlines and bushes on forced landing. Blamed a strong en route headwind.

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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