# NTSB SEA08CA180: Cessna 177, N29304, Glendale, AZ, August 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2008, 18:30 local (Aug 17, 2008, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.526668, -112.294998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5267&lon=-112.2950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA180 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to vapor lock. Contributing to the accident was the high atmospheric temperature. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022843): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022843/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022843/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that following a successful run up, he departed from the airport. During the climb, the engine began to experience a partial loss of power and the pilot believed that it was due to vapor lock. The pilot verified the cockpit settings and leaned the mixture. The engine returned to normal power. Approximately 30 seconds later it happened again so the pilot leaned the mixture again. Power returned, but then it happened a third time. The pilot contacted the tower because the airplane was not climbing. He requested a return to the airport and turned back. Just after making the turn, the engine lost total power. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a field and the airplane impacted a fence. During the accident sequence, the firewall was buckled and the right wing leading edge was damaged. Post accident examination of the airplane and test run of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The temperature at the time of the accident was 102 degrees Fahrenheit. A condition known as vapor lock can occur when the engine heats the fuel lines and the fuel in the lines becomes a vapor. This tendency is increased if the fuel in the tank is warm, commonly as a result of high atmospheric temperatures. The fuel vapor can result in partial or complete interruption of fuel flow to the engine. ## Factual narrative The pilot submitted a written statement and reported that following a successful runup, he departed from the airport. During the climb, the engine began to experience a partial loss of power and the pilot believed that it was due to vapor lock. The pilot verified the cockpit settings and leaned the mixture. The engine returned to normal power. Approximately 30 seconds later it happened again so the pilot leaned the mixture again. Power returned, but then it happened a third time. The pilot contacted the tower because the airplane was not climbing. He requested a return to the airport and turned back. Just after making the turn, the engine lost total power. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a field and the airplane impacted a fence. During the accident sequence, the firewall was buckled and the right wing leading edge was damaged. Post accident examination of the airplane and test run of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. Just prior to departure, the pilot had added 10 gallons of fuel, for a total of 22 gallons onboard the airplane, and no contamination was observed. The temperature at the time of the accident was 102 degrees Fahrenheit. According to FAA publication Advisory Circular (AC) AC 65-12A, fuel normally remains in a liquid state until it is discharged into the air stream and changes into a vapor. Under certain conditions the fuel may vaporize in the lines, pumps, or other fuel components. The vapor pockets formed by the premature vaporization can restrict the fuel flow through units that were designed to handle liquids rather than gases. The resulting partial or complete interruption of the fuel flow is called vapor lock. The AC further states that transfer of heat from the engine tends to cause vaporization of fuel in the lines and the pump. This tendency is increased if the fuel in the tank is warm, commonly as a result of high atmospheric temperatures. Vapor lock can become serious enough to block the fuel flow completely and stop the engine. Even small amounts of vapor in the inlet line can restrict the fuel flow to the engine driven pump and ultimately reduce its output pressure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29304](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29304-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 17700801, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - 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: 17700801 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Harmon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GEU, Glendale, AZ - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: GEU, Glendale Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 185 total, 42 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: GEU ## 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 20080816843829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080816843829A), Aug 16, 2008: Cessna 177, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Unable to gain altitude on departure from geu force landed in a field. Could not determine reasons for inability to gain altitude. Block 31: check ride… 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.