Cessna 177-RG accident near Locust Grove, Georgia, December 27, 2005
On December 27, 2005 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Cessna 177-RG, registered N53257, was substantially damaged in an accident near Locust Grove, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to failure of the No.1 connecting rod bearing and separation of the No. 1 connecting rod.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 27, 2005 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Locust Grove, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177-RG · all 177-RGs on the register
- Registration
- N53257 · no longer on the register · serial 177RG1363
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was in cruise flight at 2,000 feet AGL. The engine did not appear to be producing full power. The pilot reversed his course back towards the departure airport. The engine oil pressure decreased to zero and the engine lost power. The pilot made an emergency landing to none suitable terrain, and the airplane received substantial damage on the landing roll out. The engine was disassembled. The No.1 cylinder was removed and the No.1 connecting rod was bent and separated from the crankshaft journal. The No.1 connecting rod, piston, and oil suction debris were forwarded to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further examination. The examination revealed a failure of the No.1 connecting rod bearing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 575 hours in all; 258 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 530 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,191 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2004; 180 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4A7 Hampton GA at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 13,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from ATL, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.