# NTSB WPR22LA017: Cessna 177, N3388T, White Swan, WA, October 16, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 16, 2021, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: White Swan, WA - Coordinates: 46.367694, -120.80904 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3677&lon=-120.8090&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA017 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that, after the takeoff he switched to the right fuel tank to verify that it was working, and then switched back to the left tank to run it dry for upcoming maintenance. When the engine began to sputter, he switched to the right tank, but the engine lost all power, despite turning the fuel pump on, pumping the throttle, and again switching back to the left tank. He force-landed the airplane to a dirt field where the nose landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot examined the fuel tanks and discovered that the left tank had about 2 gallons remaining, and the right tank had about 15 gallons remaining. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3388T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3388T), registered now, S/N 17700688, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700688 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 3213 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eric J King - Registered owner: Eric J King - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2021, 10 hours before - Departed: WA97, Zillah, WA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Video recording device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 605 total, 427 in this make and model, 567 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KOMK, 28 nm away - METAR: KOMK 162153Z AUTO 20011KT 10SM CLR 18/04 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP143 T01780039 ## 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 20211016021899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211016021899A), Oct 16, 2021: Cessna 177, Republic, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine failed due to fuel starvation landed in field near swan lake (approximately 10 miles sw Republic, WA) ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104135. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12907705&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12947258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20WPR22LA017-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12900699&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR22LA017-Rel.pdf 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.