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NTSB Report
September 3, 1988 · Cessna 177RG · N52655
Berkeley, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Berkeley, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Tail Number
N52655
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA244
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH 6 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD. HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS WHILE EN ROUTE, AND FLEW AT 3-500 FT AGL TO MAINTAIN VFR. ABOUT 3 HRS & 15 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LDG IN TREES. WHILE SECURING THE AIRPLANE, HE OBSERVED THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE 'LEFT' (TANK) POSITION INSTEAD OF IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION WHERE HE NORMALLY POSITIONED IT FOR FLIGHT. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE SITE BY AN IA MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL OF FUEL. THE LEFT TANK WAS IMPACT DAMAGED & CONTAINED ONLY ABOUT A PINT OF FUEL. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE FUEL GAUGES WERE NOT OPERATIONAL, AND THAT HE KEPT TRACK OF FUEL CONSUMPTION BY ELAPSED TIME AND KNOWN AVERAGE FUEL FLOW PER HOUR.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH 6 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD. HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS WHILE EN ROUTE, AND FLEW AT 3-500 FT AGL TO MAINTAIN VFR. ABOUT 3 HRS & 15 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LDG IN TREES. WHILE SECURING THE AIRPLANE, HE OBSERVED THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE 'LEFT' (TANK) POSITION INSTEAD OF IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION WHERE HE NORMALLY POSITIONED IT FOR FLIGHT. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE SITE BY AN IA MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL OF FUEL. THE LEFT TANK WAS IMPACT DAMAGED & CONTAINED ONLY ABOUT A PINT OF FUEL. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE FUEL GAUGES WERE NOT OPERATIONAL, AND THAT HE KEPT TRACK OF FUEL CONSUMPTION BY ELAPSED TIME AND KNOWN AVERAGE FUEL FLOW PER HOUR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 177RG
Tail NumberN52655
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC