# NTSB NYC89LA159: Cessna 177A, N3154T, Akron, NY, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 19:54 local (23:54 UTC)
- Place: Akron, NY
- Coordinates: 43.010124, -78.490425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0101&lon=-78.4904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA159

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A RETURN FLIGHT TO NORTH BUFFALO SUBURBAN AIRPORT IN LOCKPORT, NEW YORK AFTER STAYING OVER NIGHT IN ONEONTA, NEW YORK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK AND CONTACTED BUFFALO APPROACH FOR VECTORS TO NEAREST AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT REACH THE AIRPORT. WHEN IT WAS LANDED IN A CULTIVATED FIELD, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO DIRT AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS LESS THAN A CUP OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3154T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3154T-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 17700454, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- 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: 17700454
- Airframe hours: 3081
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard R. Finch, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1988, 78 hours before
- Departed: N66, ONEONTA, NY
- Destination: 0G0, LOCKPORT, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 302 total, 99 in this make and model, 248 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890709024519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709024519A), Jul 9, 1989: Cessna 177A, Akron, NY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Nosed over on forced landing in a plowed field.

## Other investigations on N3154T (2)

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 DEN76DQA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76DQA36), Mar 7, 1976: Cessna 177 (N3154T), Truth Or Cons, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN76FQA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FQA18), Sep 28, 1975: Cessna 177 (N3154T), Las Vegas, NM, 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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