# NTSB SEA95LA182: Cessna 177B, N34767, Seattle, WA, August 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1995, 20:45 local (Aug 13, 1995, 03:45 UTC) - Place: Seattle, WA - Coordinates: 47.650951, -122.40007 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6510&lon=-122.4001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42221 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42221/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA182 ## Probable cause LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED DEPARTING SNOHOMISH AT 1630 ON A THREE-LEG RECREATIONAL FLIGHT WITH BOTH FUEL TANKS 3/4 FULL. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S TOTAL FUEL CAPACITY WAS 60 GALLONS (STANDARD FUEL CAPACITY OF THE AIRCRAFT IS 50 GALLONS). HE FIRST LANDED AT QUILLAYUTE AND THEN HOQUIAM. THE PILOT STATED THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTING HOQUIAM HE DIPPED THE FUEL TANKS AND ESTIMATED HE HAD 1/3 TANK IN ONE WING AND NEARLY 1/3 IN THE OTHER. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT APPROACHING HIS FINAL DESTINATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT OFF-SHORE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED 10/1/95. THE TRIP LOG WAS NEVER RECOVERED. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1995, approximately 2045 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N34767, was substantially damaged during an intentional ditching following a total loss of power while in cruise. The aircraft was ditched approximately 150 feet offshore from Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington. The private pilot and three passengers were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and departed from Hoquiam, Washington. The pilot reported that shortly after he made landfall near Discovery Park the RPM dropped to near zero. The engine recovered and then lost power again. The pilot chose to execute a ditching as no suitable terrain was available to ensure a safe landing. A witness, who stated that he was a pilot, reported observing the aircraft at about 50 feet altitude in very slow flight. He stated that the engine was surging, or cutting in and out. The pilot reported in a telephone interview that he had dipped his fuel tanks about 1530 prior to his first departure of the day from Harvey Field, near Snohomish, Washington. He reported that the fuel on board at that time was 3/4 tanks, and that the aircraft's total capacity was 60 gallons. The standard fuel capacity for this aircraft is 50 gallons, of which 49 gallons are considered usable. After departing Harvey Field, the aircraft was flown to Quillayute Sate airport, near the coast, and then to Hoquiam, Washington (refer to attached chart). The pilot reported that he checked his fuel with a dipstick at both Quillayute and Hoquiam (without refueling), and reported that he had 1/3 tank in one wing, and "close to" 1/3 tank in the other wing prior to the departure from Hoqiuam. He reported departing Hoquiam approximately 2000 hours and that at 2000 feet over West Point [near Discovery Park], the engine "stumbled." He did not try carburetor heat and reported that power was cutting in and out. He set 2300 rpm, which fell off almost to nothing and then caught, then dropped, then caught. In a written statement received 11 days following the accident, the pilot reported that he had departed Harvey field about 1630, and then landed at Quillayute, where he departed within an hour. He stated that he landed at Hoquiam about 1900, remaining on the ground for just over an hour. He stated that he dip-checked the fuel tanks, estimating 1 1/2 to 2 hours of fuel on board, then departed Hoquiam shortly after 2000 for Harvey Field. Approximately 2040, while over Discovery Park at 2000 feet, he experienced a complete power loss. He stated that he "established best glide [speed], went through the emergency check list while looking for most suitable place to put down." He elected to ditch the aircraft due to pedestrians. The pilot and his passengers were rescued by boat and treated for hypothermia. The aircraft was recovered October 1, 1995, after it was snagged by a fisherman. The aircraft's trip log, which reportedly contained the tach time of the departure from Harvey Field, was never recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34767](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34767), registered now, S/N 17701992, built 1973 (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: 17701992 - Airframe hours: 1420 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rock, Kenneth, L. - Registered owner: Naud, William, J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1995, 60 hours before - Departed: HQM, HOQUIAM, WA - Destination: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 24 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SEA ## 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 19950812046909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950812046909A), Aug 12, 1995: Cessna 177B, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Engine surging and intemittant over water near Seattle. Ditched due no place to land. Indicates fuel exhaustion. 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.