Cessna 177RG accident near San Carlos, California, December 21, 2000
On December 21, 2000 at about 11:56 pm local time, a Cessna 177RG, registered N2102Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Carlos, California (San Carlos airport). It was a personal 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 for undetermined reasons during an extended downwind leg in the landing pattern.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 21, 2000 · about 11:56 pm local time
- Place
- San Carlos, California · San Carlos · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG · all 177RGs on the register
- Registration
- N2102Q · no longer on the register · serial 177RG0502
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on an extended downwind for landing the airplane experienced a power failure after throttle was applied. The pilot executed the prelanding and an emergency checklist. Engine power was not restored. According to the same account, the pilot turned the fuel selector to the "off" position before the forced landing was made in the slough west of the airport. The nose wheel was caught in the rough terain and the airplane came to rest inverted. Fuel was added before the flight and post crash examination revealed the tanks carried a supply 1 inch below the tabs. The airplane was successfully started after it was righted and ran roughly.
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: student
- Flight time: 120 hours in all; 65 in this make and model; 29 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 19, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming Io-360-A1B6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TCY Tracy CA at 11:56 pm
- Destination: SQL San Carlos CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 2,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:47 pm from SQL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.