# NTSB NYC08CA113: Cessna 177B, N49AF, Quincy, FL, February 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 27, 2008, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Quincy, FL - Coordinates: 30.597778, -84.55722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5978&lon=-84.5572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67587/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was attempting a long cross-country flight, with a planned fuel stop at an airport about halfway to his intended destination. While en route to the planned fuel stop, the airplane consumed more fuel than planned due to greater than forecasted headwinds. The pilot also elected to fly at a lower than planned altitude, in order to avoid turbulence. Although the flight was consuming more fuel than planned, the pilot believed that an adequate amount of fuel remained to fly to the planned fuel stop and beyond. After landing uneventfully for the planned fuel stop, the pilot was informed that the airport fixed base operator had run out of fuel. The pilot then elected to depart, and refuel the airplane at an airport about 10 miles away. While on final approach to that airport, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that approximately 3.5 total gallons of aviation fuel was recovered from the airplane's four fuel tanks. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Cessna 177B stated that he was attempting a long cross-country flight, with a planned fuel stop at an airport about halfway to his intended destination. While enroute to the planned fuel stop, the airplane consumed more fuel than planned due to greater than forecast headwinds. The pilot also elected to fly at a lower than planned altitude, in order to avoid turbulence. Although the flight was consuming more fuel than planned, the pilot believed that an adequate amount of fuel remained to fly to the planned fuel stop and beyond. After landing uneventfully for the planned fuel stop, the pilot was informed that the airport fixed base operator had run out of fuel. The pilot then elected to depart, and refuel the airplane at an airport about 10 miles away. While on final approach to that airport, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees. The pilot sustained serious injuries, the two passengers sustained minor injuries, and the airplane's left wing separated. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that approximately 3.5 total gallons of aviation fuel was recovered from the airplane's four fuel tanks. The inspector also examined the engine, and did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49AF-2008-05-23), registration cancelled 2008-05-23, S/N 17701770, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177B - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701770 - Airframe hours: 3087 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William W Hix - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007, 20 hours before - Departed: 68J, Tallahassee, FL - Destination: 2J9, Quincy, FL - Airport: 2J9, Quincy Municipal Airport, runway 32, 2,964 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,360 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,260 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: TLH, 15 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 20080227836409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080227836409A), Feb 27, 2008: Cessna 177B, Quincy, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 27, 2007, at approximately 1115 EST, a Cessna 177B, N49AF, serial number 17701770, lost engine power and crashed into a tree on approach to… 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.