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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 26, 2002 · Cessna 177 · N29441

Mt. Vernon, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mt. Vernon, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Tail Number
N29441
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA02LA113

Because he knew his aircraft was very low on fuel, the pilot considered refueling before departing Oak Harbor Airport. However, since there was no fuel available at the airport itself, he dipped the aircraft's fuel tanks with a fuel quantity measuring device, and estimated the remaining fuel to be around four to five gallons. Based on that indicated quantity, he elected to depart for Skagit Regional Airport. As the aircraft approached the airport on an extended base leg at approximately 1,400 feet above the terrain, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot therefore activated the electric fuel pump, and the engine restarted and produced power for about another 30 seconds before losing power again. Because there were trees between the aircraft and the runway, the pilot decided to attempt a forced landing on a road in a nearby berry field. The touchdown was uneventful, however, the aircraft's wing collided with a portable outhouse while on the landing roll. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft determined that except for a very small amount of residual fuel, the aircraft's fuel tanks had been run dry.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to accurately determine the amount of fuel onboard. Factors included trees, and a portable restroom.

Full Narrative

On June 25, 2002, approximately 1710 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177, N29441, collided with a portable restroom during the landing roll, one mile southwest of Skagit Regional Airport, Mt. Vernon, Washington. The aircraft was owned and operated by a private pilot, who was the sole occupant. The pilot was not injured, however, the aircraft received substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, departed Oak Harbor Airport, Oak Harbor, Washington, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident, and was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, because he knew his aircraft was very low on fuel, he considered refueling before departing Oak Harbor Airport. However, since there was no fuel available at the airport itself, the pilot decided to attempt a measurement of the fuel quantity by using a dip-tube measuring device. After making the measurement, he estimated the remaining fuel to be around four to five gallons. Based upon that estimate, he elected to depart on the 10 minute flight to Skagit Regional. As the aircraft approached the airport on an extended base leg at approximately 1,400 feet above the terrain, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot therefore activated the electric fuel pump, and the engine restarted and produced power for about another 30 seconds before losing power again. Because there were trees between the aircraft and the runway, the pilot decided to attempt a forced landing on a dirt road in a nearby berry field. The touchdown was uneventful, however, the aircraft's wing collided with a portable outhouse while on the landing roll. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed that, except for a very small residual amount of fuel, the aircraft's fuel tanks had been run dry.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177
Tail NumberN29441
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data