# NTSB MIA89FA184: Cessna 177, N2923X, Stuart, FL, July 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1989, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Coordinates: 27.189922, -80.240158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1899&lon=-80.2402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA184

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN WATER AND RUST CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM HIS 2ND TOUCH-&-GO LANDING, THE ENG LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT APPEARED TO WOBBLE & SINK AS THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT BACK TOWARD THE RWY. IT THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED ON THE END OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED WATER & RUST IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL & RUST IN THE CARBURETOR'S FINGER SCREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2923X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2923X-1990-02-22), registration cancelled 1990-02-22, S/N 17700323 (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: 177-00323
- Airframe hours: 2067
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George T. Peters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1989, 27 hours before
- Departed: SUA
- Airport: SUA, Stuart, runway 2, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 93 total, 89 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 23 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 19890704019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890704019379A), Jul 4, 1989: Cessna 177, Stuart, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine quit on takeoff. Stalled and impacted runway after turning back. Water and rust in fuel.

## Other investigations on N2923X (3)

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 MKC70F0227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70F0227), Sep 14, 1969: Cessna 177 (N2923X), Gibbon, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC69D0445](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0445), May 12, 1969: Cessna 177 (N2923X), Clermont, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC69F0023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0023), Jun 4, 1968: Cessna 177 (N2923X), Omaha, NE, 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.

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