# NTSB SEA89LA109: Cessna 177B, N34211, Minden, NV, June 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1989, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.010513, -119.749702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0105&lon=-119.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41031/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA109

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE WHICH CAUSED A CRACK IN THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE LEADING INTO THE CARBURETOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing
  - fuel system,line - bent (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART THEN NOTED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, A FIRE STARTED. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRPLANE AS IT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NIPPLE INSTALLED ON THE PRESSURE SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP, LEADING TO THE INTAKE LINE OF THE CARBURETOR, WAS BENT. A CRACK WAS NOTED WITHIN THE THREADED PORTION OF THE NIPPLE. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN INSPECTED 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34211](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34211-1990-04-16), registration cancelled 1990-04-16, S/N 17701708 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701708
- Airframe hours: 1598
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lamoureux, Gerard
- Registered owner: Lamoureux, Gerard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1988, 14 hours before
- Destination: 043, YERINGTON, NV
- Airport: MEV, Douglas Co., runway 34, 7,395 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 90 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890611015239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890611015239A), Jun 11, 1989: Cessna 177B, Minden, NV, Destroyed. Engine quit on taxi for takeoff. Tried restart saw smoke and fire in engine aircraft burned. Fuel line nipple leak.

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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