Summary
On July 24, 2011, a Cessna 177 (N30214) was involved in an incident near Americus, GA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The CFI and pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
According to the Certificated Flight instructor (CFI), he and the pilot departed the airport for a local personal flight. While returning to the airport, the engine surged and then shutdown. The pilot stated "we're out of gas" and the CFI assumed control of the airplane. After clearing an approximate 50-foot-high tree line, he felt the landing area was a little smaller than he wished. During the landing sequence, the right wing and nose wheel impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and firewall. The CFI reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane and that he did not perform a preflight of the airplane prior to the flight nor did he check the fuel level.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA419. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N30214.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The CFI and pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the Certificated Flight instructor (CFI), he and the pilot departed the airport for a local personal flight. While returning to the airport, the engine surged and then shutdown. The pilot stated "we're out of gas" and the CFI assumed control of the airplane. After clearing an approximate 50-foot-high tree line, he felt the landing area was a little smaller than he wished. During the landing sequence, the right wing and nose wheel impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and firewall. The CFI reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane and that he did not perform a preflight of the airplane prior to the flight nor did he check the fuel level. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident reported that the fuel tanks were empty and that there was no sign of fuel around the accident location.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA419