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NTSB Report
January 19, 1987 · Cessna 177RG · N123DJ
S Lake Tahoe, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
S Lake Tahoe, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Tail Number
N123DJ
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA093
AFTER DEPARTING AT NIGHT FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC & REQUESTED RADAR FLT FOLLOWING. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID HE WAS REVERSING COURSE WITH A LOSS OF ENG POWER. RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST AS IT WAS RETURNING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE WEST FACE OF A MOUNTAIN ABOUT 10 MI WEST OF THE DEP ARPT. DUE TO ITS REMOTE LOCATION, THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT EXAMINED UNTIL IT WAS RECOVERED ON 6/4/87. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION.
Full Narrative
AFTER DEPARTING AT NIGHT FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC & REQUESTED RADAR FLT FOLLOWING. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID HE WAS REVERSING COURSE WITH A LOSS OF ENG POWER. RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST AS IT WAS RETURNING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE WEST FACE OF A MOUNTAIN ABOUT 10 MI WEST OF THE DEP ARPT. DUE TO ITS REMOTE LOCATION, THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT EXAMINED UNTIL IT WAS RECOVERED ON 6/4/87. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 177RG
Tail NumberN123DJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time06:00
Weather SourceWFAC