# NTSB MIA89LA238: Cessna 177, N2921X, Woodville, MS, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1989, 22:11 local (Sep 2, 1989, 03:11 UTC)
- Place: Woodville, MS
- Coordinates: 31.100643, -91.289024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1006&lon=-91.2890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA238

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE DITCH.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ESTIMATED HE HAD 32 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF. HE THOUGHT HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE FLT, BUT AFTER 3 HRS & 5 MIN, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAKE A NIGHT LANDING AT A NEARBY ARPT.HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2921X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2921X-2015-10-21), registration cancelled 2015-10-21, S/N 17700321, 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: 177-00321
- Airframe hours: 1785
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waldo, John T.
- Registered owner: John T Waldo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: T17, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: 1R7, BROOKHAVEN, MS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MS57, Fred Netterville, runway 24, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 361 total, 59 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCB, 27 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 19890901034959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890901034959A), Sep 1, 1989: Cessna 177, Woodville, MS, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route, landing on a nearby airport. Overshot runway. Failed to slow to landing speed.

## Other investigations on N2921X (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 NYC97LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA086), Apr 30, 1997: Cessna 177 (N2921X), Lancaster, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and his failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway and striking the precision…
- [NTSB MIA71DKT29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71DKT29), Dec 20, 1970: Cessna 177 (N2921X), Ochopee, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA68D0461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0461), Mar 23, 1968: Cessna 177 (N2921X), W.Hollywood, FL, 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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