# NTSB NYC90LA071: Cessna 177RG, N45371, Harford, PA, February 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1990, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Harford, PA
- Coordinates: 41.78046, -75.69934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7805&lon=-75.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA071

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION WHICH ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO RUN INTO TREES AFTER THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DUE TO A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE OF UNDETERMINED CAUSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPEREINCED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A FROZEN LAKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED INTO TREES ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE DUE TO A LACK OF BRAKING ACTION. NO SPECIFIC REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45371](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45371-1993-03-25), registration cancelled 1993-03-25, S/N 177RG1115 (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: 177RG1115
- Airframe hours: 1708
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry Butler
- Registered owner: Henry T Butler, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 1989, 8 hours before
- Departed: HARFORD, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 712 total, 662 in this make and model, 666 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900218002759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900218002759A), Feb 18, 1990: Cessna 177RG, Harford, PA, Substantial damage. Reported rough engine. Elected to land on a long frozen lake. Unable to stop on glaze ice hit shore.

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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