# NTSB SEA95LA041: Cessna 177, N29598, Auburn, WA, January 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1995, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, WA
- Coordinates: 47.300685, -122.310089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3007&lon=-122.3101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA041

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR OBSTRUCTION DUE TO INGESTION OF PART OF THE INDUCTION AIR DUCTING.  A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - induction air ducting - ingested (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - obstructed (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED BLACK SMOKE FROM THE AIRCRAFT AFTER TAKEOFF.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  DURING INVESTIGATION, A 1/2' BY 1 1/2' PIECE OF NEOPRENE INDUCTION AIR DUCTING WAS FOUND INGESTED IN THE CARBURETOR, CAUSING OBSTRUCTION OF THE CARBURETOR VENTURI.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1995, approximately 1140 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177, N29598, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, Washington.  The private pilot and his daughter sustained minor injuries; his wife was uninjured.  The flight, conducted under 14 CFR 91, was not under a flight plan and its destination was Tacoma Narrows airport, Tacoma, Washington, where the aircraft was to be fueled for a longer flight.  There was no fire and no report of an ELT functioning.

The pilot stated that after takeoff to the south, at an altitude of two or three hundred feet, the aircraft sustained a loss of power and he initiated a forced landing into an open field, sustaining substantial damage due to soft terrain.  The pilot stated that he heard noises indicating that the power loss was due to mechanical reasons.  A witness stated that he saw black smoke from the aircraft prior to ground impact.

Investigators found a 1/2" by 1 1/2" piece of neoprene intake air box ducting in the carburetor throat, jammed in the venturi.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29598](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29598-1997-11-26), registration cancelled 1997-11-26, S/N 17700983 (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: 17700983
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marshall F. Warner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1994
- Departed: S50
- Destination: TIW, TACOMA, WA
- Airport: S50, Auburn Municipal, runway 16, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 149 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 10 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 19950122000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950122000719A), Jan 22, 1995: Cessna 177, Auburn, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in soft terrain. Large piece neoprene air intake ducting jammed in carb venturi.

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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