# NTSB MIA99LA271: Cessna 177, N3342T, St Petersburg, FL, September 23, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1999, 08:59 local (12:59 UTC) - Place: St Petersburg, FL - Coordinates: 27.750753, -82.640571 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7508&lon=-82.6406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47487/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA271 ## Probable cause A loose throttle control cable clamp which resulted in a lose of power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - throttle/power lever,cable - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot stated that while engaged in traffic reporting duties, at 1,000 feet, 6 miles southwest of the Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, the engine started to sputter and there was a loss of engine power. The pilot further stated that she performed the emergency checklist, turned toward Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, and made a radio call. She attempted to regain cruise power, but the engine produced insufficient power to maintain altitude. She ditched the airplane in shallow water in the vicinity of Tierra Verde, where both she and the passenger were rescued. According to an FAA inspector who conducted an examination of the airplane, the throttle control cable clamp, located just aft of the carburetor was loose from the throttle housing, and made a bow upwards without fully manipulating the throttle control arm. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1999, about 0859 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N3342T, registered to RNI Inc., and operated by Bay Air Flying Service Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, ditched near St. Petersburg, Florida, following loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the commercial-rated pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, St. Petersburg, Florida, the same day, about 0610. The pilot stated that while engaged in traffic reporting duties, at about 1,000 feet, 6 miles southwest of the Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, the engine started to sputter and there was a loss of engine power. The pilot further stated that she performed the emergency checklist, turned toward Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, and made a radio call. She attempted to regain cruise power, but the engine would not produce enough power to maintain altitude. She ditched the airplane in shallow water, in the vicinity of Tierra Verde, where both she and the passenger were rescued. According to an FAA inspector who conducted a postcrash examination of the airplane, the throttle control cable clamp, located just aft of the carburetor was loose from the throttle housing, and made a bow upwards without fully manipulating the throttle control arm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3342T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3342T-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 17700642, 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: 17700642 - Airframe hours: 2672 - Engines: Lycoming 0320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Bay Air Flying Service Inc., doing business as Bay Air Flying Service Inc. - Registered owner: Rni Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 1999, 72 hours before - Departed: SPG ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 895 total, 25 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 197 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SPG, 6 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 19990923036869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990923036869A), Sep 23, 1999: Cessna 177, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot stated that while engaged in traffic reporting duties, at about 1,000 feet, 6 miles southwest of the albert whitted municipal airport, the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.