# NTSB SEA90LA190: Cessna 177, N29614, Christmas Valle, OR, September 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1990, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Christmas Valle, OR
- Coordinates: 43.23904, -120.589447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2390&lon=-120.5894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA190

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CONTAMINATED FUEL AND THE SOFT TERRAIN ON THE LANDING SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN VFR CRUISE FLT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A GRAVEL ROAD. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR ENTERED SOFT DIRT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL AND THE PILOT OVER CORRECTED TO THE LEFT. THE ACFT SWERVED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, IMPACTED A DITCH AND WIRE FENCE. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29614](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29614-1993-06-17), registration cancelled 1993-06-17, S/N 17700992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700992
- Airframe hours: 2534
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald R. Eudy
- Registered owner: G.A.A.S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1989, 67 hours before
- Departed: S07, BEND, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 62 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 50 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).

- [Accident 19900919041209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900919041209A), Sep 19, 1990: Cessna 177, Christmas Valle, OR, Destroyed. Rough engine . Elected to land on a gravel road to check it out. Skidded off road into a ditch. 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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