# NTSB SEA80FA027: Cessna 177RG, N2138Q, Garberville, CA, April 27, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 27, 1980
- Place: Garberville, CA · GARBERVILLE, CA
- Location: 40.1003° N, 123.7943° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garberville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1003&lon=-123.7943&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA80FA027
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FA027

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0399  80/4/27    GARBERVILLE,CA      CESSNA 177RG        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 65, 8223
        TIME - 1600                    N2138Q              PX-  2  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GARBERVILLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHELTER COVE,CA             GARBERVILLE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           COPILOT - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- L WG HIT TREE,ACFT IMPACTED WALL OF RAVINE & THEN SLID DOWN INTO RAVINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2138Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Garberville

## 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 19800427017499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800427017499A), Apr 27, 1980: Cessna 177RG, Garberville, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Low on final, engine failed to respond. Airplane hit trees. Found fuel tanks empty. Water in fuel.

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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