Cessna 177RG accident near Tomball, Texas, November 19, 1997
On November 19, 1997 at about 8:40 pm local time, a Cessna 177RG, registered N88WC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tomball, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power resulting from the loss of oil and resultant seizure of a cylinder due to inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the low ceiling.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 19, 1997 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Tomball, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG · all 177RGs on the register
- Registration
- N88WC · registry record · serial 0501
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was at 2,000 feet MSL on an IFR radar vector for the approach when the engine rpm surged, the oil pressure decreased, the electronic engine monitor indicated an over temperature condition on the #4 cylinder, and the engine started running rough and vibrating. The pilot shut down the engine, and declared an emergency, as the airplane descended into VFR conditions at 500 feet MSL. A forced landing was executed to a road with transmission lines and trees. During the landing flare and touchdown, the left wing of the airplane struck trees. This was the first flight following the annual inspection. The lower area of the fuselage was covered with oil and examination revealed that a 'line and B-nut at the turbocharger wastegate were loose.' The #4 cylinder was seized and the #4 rod bearing journal was damaged. On Nov. 8, 1996, the turbocharger had been overhauled and reinstalled. During the last annual inspection on Nov. 19, 1997, the mechanic had welded a patch on the turbocharger outlet elbow. An engine teardown revealed physical evidence of oil starvation.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,356 hours in all; 2,173 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,712 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 19, 1997; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SPX Houston TX at 8:10 pm
- Destination: DWH
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 700 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from DWH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number FTW98LA053.