# NTSB SEA88LA119: Cessna 177B, N35181, Elko, NV, June 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1988, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.949039, -115.790061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9490&lon=-115.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - supervision - inaccurate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED ACFT AND WAS ON INITIAL LEG OF CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  PLT CALCULATED 4.9 HRS ENDURANCE, VERIFIED BY CFI AS ADEQUATE FOR PROPOSED FLT. AFTER 4.2 HOURS TACH TIME, FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED 21 MILES SHORT OF DESTINATION.  ACFT FUEL GAGES AND CLOCK WERE INOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35181](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35181-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N 17702249, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702249
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boyd L. Strissel
- Registered owner: Charles L. Smithers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1987, 30 hours before
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Destination: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 8 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: EKO

## 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 19880628033349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880628033349A), Jun 28, 1988: Cessna 177B, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route with newly purchased aircraft. Indicates pilot miscalculated aircrafts fuel range.

## Other investigations on N35181 (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 DEN78FTC16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FTC16), Mar 10, 1978: Cessna 177 (N35181), Rock Springs, WY, 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.

---
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.