Cessna 177A accident near Farlinville, Kansas, February 20, 2025
On February 20, 2025 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 177A, registered N30413, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Farlinville, Kansas. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power that resulted from fuel contamination when it was treated with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (antiseptic) that contained water. Contributing to the accident were vague fuel treatment instructions provided by the operator.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 2025 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Farlinville, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177A, built 1968 · all 177As on the register
- Registration
- N30413 · registry record · serial 17701240
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was descending the airplane to begin patrolling a section of pipeline when, without warning, the engine began to surge between low and high power. He diverted towards the nearest airport and began troubleshooting the issue. When it became apparent that he could not maintain altitude and would not make the diversion airport, he performed an off-airport landing in a field. During the landing the airplane struck a 3- to 4-foot-tall berm, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and fuselage. During the post-accident investigation, a significant amount of water was found in the inline strainer to the engine. Follow-up interviews with the fixed base operator and pilot revealed that the pilot treated the airplane’s fuel with a 70% isopropyl alcohol (antiseptic) solution before the accident flight. The pilot was unaware that the antiseptic also contained purified water. It is likely that the airplane’s fuel became contaminated with water from the antiseptic which resulted in the loss of engine power. Review of company documentation revealed vague instructions for treating the fuel with isopropyl alcohol. For example, the instructions stated to use one bottle per 25 gallons of fuel, but did not specify the size/volume of the bottle. Specific guidance for the accident airplane was found in the manufacturer’s service information letter. The letter stated it is permissible to use any high quality isopropyl alcohol, for example one meeting Federal Specification TT-I-735a. The letter stated the isopropyl alcohol may be blended with the fuel in a concentration not greater than 1% by volume.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (descent)
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Aircraft servicing event during prior to flight
- Fuel contamination during standing
- Fuel related during enroute (descent) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring › Documentation/record keeping › Operation records › Operator
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 3,040 hours in all; 1,400 in this make and model; 2,922 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 28, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,964.1 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 1,427 hours total
- Operator: Eagle Sky Patrol INC
The flight
- Departed from: KXNA Bentonville AR at 3:39 pm
- Destination: KIXD Olathe KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 5°F (-15°C), dew point -8°F (-22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.73 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 am from KFSK, 27 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFSK 201715Z AUTO 02003KT 10SM CLR M15/M22 A3073 RMK AO2 T11451219
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Site
Photograph 2 – Accident Site
Photograph 3 – Fuel sample from inline strainerThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on May 9, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | FAA on Site Airplane Exam Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Witness | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum of Record - Eagle Sky Documents | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum of Record - Manufacturer's Guidance | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Cessna Service Information Letter SE79-30 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Lycoming Service Instruction NO_1070AB | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Astm D910-17A Standard Specification for Leaded Aviation Gasoline | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.