Cessna 177B accident near London, Kentucky, October 19, 1991
On October 19, 1991 at about 8:12 pm local time, a Cessna 177B, registered N29308, was substantially damaged in an accident near London, Kentucky (London-Carbin Megee airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 1991 · about 8:12 pm local time
- Place
- London, Kentucky · London-Carbin Megee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177B · all 177Bs on the register
- Registration
- N29308 · no longer on the register · serial 17700804
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A LOCAL FIRE PATROL FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. IT WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND THE PILOT HAD REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE FIRST FLIGHT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE BOTH POSITION FOR EACH FLIGHT. ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO THE SECOND FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE LEFT TANK INDICATED THREE QUARTERS FULL; THE RIGHT TANK INDICATED EMPTY. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHICH INCLUDED SWITCHING TO THE LEFT TANK ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A UTILITY POLE DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A GRASS FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS THREE QUARTERS FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 514 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 420 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,129 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 24, 1991; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aerotech INC
The flight
- Departed from: LOZ London KY at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from LOZ, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.