# NTSB MIA90FA177: Cessna 177-A, N30306, Gainesville, FL, August 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1990, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, FL
- Coordinates: 29.66979, -82.33023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6698&lon=-82.3302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA177

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE 30 MINUTES SINCE THE LAST REFUELING. HE DEPARTED ON A CROSSCOUNTRY FLIGHT AND HE TOLD HIS PASSENGER HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND INITIATED A DESCENT TO AN AIRPORT SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION. DURING THE DESCENT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND THE GROUND DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL IN EACH OF THE UNDAMAGED FUEL TANKS AND 4 OUNCES OF FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30306](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30306-1992-02-19), registration cancelled 1992-02-19, S/N 17701183 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177-A
- Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701183
- Airframe hours: 1719
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sherer, William J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1990, 25 hours before
- Departed: 3J7, GREENSBORO, GA
- Destination: OCF, OCALA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,069 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 2 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 19900829037139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900829037139A), Aug 29, 1990: Cessna 177A, Gainesville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel en route. Crash landed in trees. Aware of low fuel had diverted course to nearest airport.

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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