# NTSB SEA82IA170: Cessna 177RG, N52716, Cashmere, WA, September 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1982, 14:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Cashmere, WA
- Coordinates: 47.550731, -120.479263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5507&lon=-120.4793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82IA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82IA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - lubricating system - leak (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING THROUGH 7500 FT THE PILOT OBSERVED SMOKE ENTERING THE COCKPIT FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO ISOLATE THE SOURCE BY SHUTTING OFF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO APPEAR INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT REACHED ITS INTENDED DESTINATION. LATER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A SLIGHT OIL LEAK ALLOWED OIL TO DROP ONTO A HEATED EXHAUST SHROUD AND PRODUCE SMOKE WHICH WAS INGESTED INTO THE COCKPIT THROUGH A DEFROSTER VENT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. THE OIL LEAK WAS FROM THE LEFT REAR ROCKER COVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52716](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52716), registered now, S/N 177RG1256 (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: 177RG1256
- Airframe hours: 2731
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cascade Flight School Inc.
- Registered owner: Cascade Flight School Inc.
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Destination: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,402 total, 162 in this make and model, 1,294 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 13 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).

- [Incident 19820922062049I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820922062049I), Sep 22, 1982: Cessna 177RG, Cashmere, WA. Smoke in cockpit on descent. Found oil was leaking on exhaust from a rocker box cover.

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.