# NTSB SEA85FA225: Cessna 177BII, N35105, Lolo Pass, ID, September 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1985, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lolo Pass, ID
- Coordinates: 46.079994, -115.859016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0800&lon=-115.8590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT FAILED TO VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS DURING PREFLT AND DEPARTED WITH 3.4 HOURS FLOWN ON THE PRE-EXISTING FUEL SUPPLY. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED 1.2 HOURS INTO THE FLT. THE PLT OVERFLEW A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING SITE AND ATTEMPTED A LAST MINUTE TURN BACK TO THE SITE. THE ACFT STALLED IN A STEEP TURN AT LOW ALT, COLLIDING WITH TREES ON A STEEP DOWNSLOPE. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE SIGNS OF FUEL BOTH IN THE ACFT AND ON THE TERRAIN SURROUNDINGTHE WRECKAGE. THE FUEL GAGES WERE KNOWN TO BE INACCURATE AND THE OPERATOR HAD A SIGN POSTED INSTRUCTING PLTS TO VISUALLYCHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY. ALSO, A SEPARATE FUEL CONSUMPTION LOG WAS KEPT FOR THE ACFT.  THE REAR BENCH SEAT HAD THREE OCCUPANTS SEATED ON IT WITH ONE SEAT BELT UTILIZED FOR ALL THREE. THE BELT SEPARATED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTS DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35105](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35105-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 17702210 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177BII
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702210
- Airframe hours: 2937
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dorian B. Rogers, doing business as Cascade Flying Service
- Registered owner: Doran B. Rogers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: GARFIELD, WA
- Destination: S82, KOOSKIA, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 13 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850922046899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850922046899A), Sep 22, 1985: Cessna 177B, Lolo Pass, ID, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled while maneuvering to landing site after engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Fuel not checked visually.

## Other investigations on N35105 (1)

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 LAX83LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA129), Mar 9, 1983: Cessna 177B (N35105), Arvin, CA, substantial damage

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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