Cessna 177RG N1572H

Summary

On 11 March 2020 at about 18:30 local time, a Cessna 177RG registered N1572H was involved in an accident near Sterling, Massachusetts, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2020 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sterling, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Sterling (3B3)

Coordinates

42.4303, -71.7975

Aircraft

Cessna 177RG

Registration

N1572H

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sterling → Sterling

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA20FA124

1 person died.

A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that, after a normal takeoff, the engine “coughed” and ran roughly as the airplane reached the approximate midpoint of the runway during the initial climb. The airplane crossed over the departure end of the runway in a nose-high attitude with the wings rocking before the left wing “dipped” and the airplane began a left turn and descended out of view. The airplane impacted terrain in a wings-level, nose-down attitude of about 60°. About 3 ounces of fuel was found in each of the intact fuel tanks, with no evidence of fuel leaking into the ground/water. Based on the available fueling records, the most recent fueling likely occurred about 4.8 flight hours before the accident flight. Estimates of fuel used during that time were between 54 and 65 gallons before the accident takeoff. The airplane’s usable fuel capacity was 60 gallons. Examination of the fuel level transmitters revealed that the left fuel tank transmitter was significantly out of specification when in the “empty” position. This would have resulted in the left fuel gauge indicating more fuel than actually present when the fuel level was at or near empty. Based on the amount of fuel found remaining in the tanks, it is likely that the left fuel gauge incorrectly indicated more fuel than was actually available. Whether or to what extent the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane could not be determined; however, had the pilot visually inspected the fuel levels, he would have likely determined that there was insufficient fuel available for the flight. The pilot’s wife reported that the pilot had previously “had trouble with” the airplane’s fuel gauges. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, the circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion followed by a loss of control and impact with terrain. Examination of the pilot’s seatbelt/shoulder harness revealed that it would lock normally when tensioned after the accident, however the retraction spring inside the harness reel was found incorrectly installed, and it would not recoil the belt. The belt was found completely unspooled from its reel after the accident. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot’s restraint system was not properly tensioned at the time of the accident; however, it was not possible to determine whether the pilot’s injuries were exacerbated as a result.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.