Cessna 177RG N7504V

Summary

On 8 April 1989 at about 17:40 local time, a Cessna 177RG registered N7504V, operated by Erdy, J. Walter, was involved in an accident near Barnwell, South Carolina, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 April 1989 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Barnwell, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.2406, -81.3596

Aircraft

Cessna 177RG

Registration

N7504V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Erdy, J. Walter

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbus → Savannah

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL89LA128

2 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION IN CONTINUING FLIGHT TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITHOUT REFUELING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND INADEQUATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS AT 4000 FEET IN CRUISE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD FLIPPING OVER AFTER THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO SOFT DIRT. TWO FACTORS PRESENT WERE STRONG WINDS ALOFT AND INACCURATE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM. THE RIGHT FLOAT WHEN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK SHOWED TWO NEEDLE WIDTH OF FUEL REMAINING. THE PILOT ALLOWED ONE TANK TO GO EMPTY AND RELIED ON THE RIGHT TANK INDICATION OF LESS THEN ONE QUARTER FULL. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN ENROUTE FOR 4 HOURS AND 22 MINUTES AND WAS 78 STATUTE MILES FROM DESTINATION. THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT WITH AN IFR RESERVE WITH THE FUEL INDICATED. THE PILOT HAD PLANNED FOR A 4 HOUR FLIGHT WITH 5.5 HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.