# NTSB MIA89LA059: Cessna 177A, N30564, West Palm Beach, FL, December 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1988, 22:43 local (Dec 28, 1988, 03:43 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.789093, -80.210945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7891&lon=-80.2109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA059

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT CONTACTED LAKELAND TOWER IN FLT ABOUT 2115 AND WAS TOLD THAT NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLT. THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER 4 HOURS AND 12 MINUTES OF FLIGHT. HE THEN EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT BUT DID NOT PREFLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT AND VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30564 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177-01330
- Airframe hours: 2409
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George O Sims Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1988, 15 hours before
- Departed: OJ7, DOTHAN, AL
- Destination: LNA, LANTANA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,651 total, 1,620 in this make and model, 1,542 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 1 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 19881227056829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881227056829A), Dec 27, 1988: Cessna 177A, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel approaching airport stall landed into tree tops. Failed to visually check fuel prior to flight.

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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