Cessna 177A N30438

Summary

On 11 November 1990 at about 22:20 local time, a Cessna 177A registered N30438, operated by Giles, Wilma, was involved in an accident near Dana Point, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 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

11 November 1990 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Dana Point, California, United States

Nearest airport

John Wayne (SNA)

Coordinates

33.4692, -117.6993

Aircraft

Cessna 177A

Registration

N30438

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Giles, Wilma

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Diego → Fullerton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA027

3 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT NEGOTIATED THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS WITHOUT REFUELING. HE INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT TIME BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT LEG WAS 3.4 HOURS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT HE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 4.1 HOURS. ABOUT 35 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A PALM TREE AND CRASHED. THE PILOT TOLD RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF GAS. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL IN THE TANKS OR FUEL SPILLAGE. THE PILOT FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUEL CONSUMPTION USED WHILE EXECUTING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.