# NTSB NYC93LA052: Cessna 177, N2325Y, Bowling Green, KY, December 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1992, 17:26 local (23:26 UTC)
- Place: Bowling Green, KY
- Coordinates: 36.949695, -86.280189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9497&lon=-86.2802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

FOUR HOURS INTO A FLIGHT FROM GREENWOOD, ILLINOIS TO NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL GAUGES SHOWED THE TANKS WITH 1/4 FUEL REMAINING. HE ELECTED TO DIVERT TO BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY AND REFUEL. WHILE ON DOWN WIND FOR LANDING AT THE AIRPORT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF A MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE FAA FOUND NO FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE'S TANKS WHEN THEY EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2325Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2325Y-1994-02-01), registration cancelled 1994-02-01, S/N 17700125 (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: 17700125
- Airframe hours: 4261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pettygrove, Jay J.
- Registered owner: Pettygrove, Jay J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 7, 1992, 14 hours before
- Departed: 10C, GREENWOOD, IL
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 1 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 19921226051719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921226051719A), Dec 26, 1992: Cessna 177, Bowling Green, KY, Substantial damage. Low on fuel diverted to bng but ran out of fuel turning base. Had departed without topping fuel tanks.

## Other investigations on N2325Y (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 MKC76FCA45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCA45), Sep 19, 1976: Cessna 177 (N2325Y), Creve Coewr, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW68F0305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0305), Nov 7, 1967: Cessna 177 (N2325Y), Waco, TX, destroyed

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.