# NTSB NYC85LA079: Cessna 177, N30155, Wheatfield, NY, March 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1985, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Wheatfield, NY
- Location: 43.0974° N, 78.8831° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Wheatfield, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0974&lon=-78.8831&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - improper
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, company/operator management
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING ARRIVAL, HE MADE A COMPLETE LANDING CHECK & APPLIED CARB HEAT BEFORE REDUCING POWER. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE POWER WAS REDUCED TO 1900 TO 2000 RPM, THE ENG SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNABLE. AN OPEN FIELD WAS SELECTED FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING; HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING STRUCK SMALL TREES & THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED MUD & SNOW. THE ACFT SKIDDED ON MUD & SNOW AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGED BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE CARB HEAT ASSEMBLY WAS BADLY DAMAGED BY IMPACT. THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS NOT VENTED; HOWEVER, NO OBSTRUCTIONS WERE REPORTED TO THE OTHER VENTS FOR THE THAT TANK. AD-79-14 REQUIRED THAT BOTH FUEL CAPS BE VENTED IAW CESSNA SVC LTR, SE 77-6.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30155](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30155-1991-05-07), registration cancelled 1991-05-07, S/N 17701084 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701084
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Conrad C. Tota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1984
- Departed: DANSVILLE, NY
- Destination: NIAGARA FALLS, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 665 total, 18 in this make and model, 449 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850310047749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850310047749A), Mar 10, 1985: Cessna 177, Wheatfield, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit in traffic pattern. Landed in field. Wings hit trees and ground. No cause found for engine malfunction.

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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