Cessna 177 N177JH

Summary

On 29 July 1998 at about 19:10 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N177JH was involved in an accident near Corona, California, United States. 2 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

29 July 1998 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Corona, California, United States

Nearest airport

Corona (AJO)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N177JH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA250

2 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power due to a partially closed fuel shutoff valve as a result of improper maintenance installation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot aborted the first takeoff due to a rough running engine. He performed a run-up, determined that the engine seemed normal, and returned for another takeoff. After liftoff, the engine began to lose rpm and the pilot had difficulty gaining altitude. About 100 feet agl, he turned toward a grassy area parallel to the runway. The aircraft collided with the trees and came to rest upright on the ground. The Safety Board conducted a run-up of the engine. No abnormal sounds were noted at 2,000 rpm, but at full throttle, the engine began to run rough and the fuel pressure gauge was at or near the low scale indication. The aircraft has a separate fuel shutoff valve independent of the fuel selector. The shutoff valve is operated by a control knob near the pilot's right knee. It was noted that the fuel shutoff valve follower handle was partially closed at the valve while the control knob was in the ON position. The firewall-mounted clamp that secures the cable housing was loose and the cable housing was able to slide back and forth in the clamp. The valve could be hand actuated from the on to off position without any significant movement of the control knob. With the fuel shutoff valve properly configured and in the full on position, another engine run-up was conducted to full power with and without the auxiliary fuel pump. AD 70-24-04 concerning the fuel shutoff valve was complied with in 1984 by installation of Cessna Kit No. SK117-10. The fuel shutoff control knob is required to be safetied in the 'on' position. No safety wire was in place and no hole was drilled in the subject knob to accommodate the wire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.