Cessna 177 RG accident near Gilford, New Hampshire, June 13, 2009
On June 13, 2009 at about 8:14 pm local time, a Cessna 177 RG, registered N52670, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Gilford, New Hampshire (Laconia Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion from the fracture of the nipple for the engine oil cooler return line. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic's signoff and release of the airplane without performing the required engine run-up following an annual inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 2009 · about 8:14 pm local time
- Place
- Gilford, New Hampshire · Laconia Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 RG · all 177 RGs on the register
- Registration
- N52670 · no longer on the register · serial 177RG1243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On the initial flight following an incomplete annual inspection, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and impacted a tree during the resultant forced landing. The airframe and powerplant (A&P) with an inspection authorization (IA) rated mechanic reported that he signed off the logbooks with the expectation that another mechanic would perform an engine run-up prior to flight. Federal Aviation regulations did not allow delegation of authority with regards to the inspection and that the IA must perform the inspection prior to approving the airplane for return to service. The accident pilot arrived to the maintenance facility prior to the A&P mechanic, retrieved the logbooks that were signed off, and departed. Oil was noticed on the taxiway that services the maintenance facility, in the engine run-up area, and leading to the runway. The oil cooler return line attach nipple was fractured and gouges were noted on the surface of the hose end socket caused by an inadvertent contact by a wrench slipping off of a nearby bolt or nut and striking the surface of the hose end socket. Results of toxicology testing were consistent with recent use of marijuana and amphetamine. It could not be determined whether impairment due to such use may have played a role in the accident.
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 (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Post maintenance inspection › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Fluid level
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Return to service › Inadequate inspection
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,820 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,638 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 12, 2009; 0 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: LCI Gilford NH
- Destination: IZG Fryberg NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 5,890 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from LCI, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.