# NTSB MKC87FA027: Cessna 177RG, N7692U, Colby, KS, November 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1986, 13:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Colby, KS
- Coordinates: 39.380027, -101.040649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3800&lon=-101.0406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AFTER BEING BRIEFED. THERE WAS FREEZING DRIZZLE TO THE WEST THAT WAS MOVING TOWARD THE DEPARTURE AREA. THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF INTO A LOW CEILING WITH NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURE. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB TO 9000 MSL BUT ENCOUNTERED STRUCTURAL ICING CONDITIONS THAT HE CALLED GREATER THAN MODERATE. AT FIRST, AIRPLANE COULD NOT CLIMB, THEN COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. ATC PROVIDED ASSISTANCE OF STEERING TOWARD NEAREST AIRPORT. AIRPLANE WAS FORCED DOWN IN A FARMYARD, 5 MILES SOUTH OF AIRPORT. ICE TWO INCHES THICK WAS FOUND ON AND AROUND AIRPLANE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7692U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0903
- Airframe hours: 1929
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cec Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1986, 120 hours before
- Departed: ADT, ATWOOD, KS
- Destination: FOE, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 282 total, 61 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLD, 42 nm away

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.