# NTSB NYC87LA179: Cessna 177RG, N53060, Tewksbury, MA, June 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1987, 22:30 local (Jun 18, 1987, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Tewksbury, MA
- Location: 42.6106° N, 71.2342° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tewksbury, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6106&lon=-71.2342&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE LEFT TANK TO BOTH WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. HE THEN DECIDED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND DURING THE FLARE BECAUSE HE FELT HIS A/S WAS TO FAST. THE ENGINE QUIT AT 40 FT AGL DURING THE GO-AROUND. HE WAS UNABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED PRIOR TO IMPACT. AS HE WAS BEING PULLED FROM THE ACFT, HE NOTICED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. HE REALIZED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR HAD BEEN ON THE RIGHT TANK AND HE HAD PLACED IT IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53060](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53060-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 177RG1333 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG1333
- Airframe hours: 2080
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Vallett
- Registered owner: Richard Vallett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1986
- Departed: HFD, HARTFORD, CT
- Destination: B09, TEWKSBURY, MA
- Airport: B09, Tew-Mac, runway 21, 2,830 × 26 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 64 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870617020689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870617020689A), Jun 17, 1987: Cessna 177RG, Tewksbury, MA, Destroyed. Engine quit climbing out on a go around. Aircraft hit ground as pilot banked to avoid trees. Had turned fuel off.

## Other investigations on N53060 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI83LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA247), Jun 9, 1983: Cessna 177RG (N53060), Lansing, MI, substantial damage

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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