Cessna 177RG accident near Ely, Nevada, May 22, 2003
On May 22, 2003 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Cessna 177RG, registered N8034G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ely, Nevada (Ely Airport (Yelland Field)). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the airplane collided with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2003 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Ely, Nevada · Ely Airport (Yelland Field) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG · all 177RGs on the register
- Registration
- N8034G · no longer on the register · serial 177RG0034
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with flat open desert terrain during a cross-country flight. The airplane had been en route 3.8 hours on a 560-nautical mile (nm) trip when the accident occurred. There were no eye witnesses to the accident sequence. Extraction of the recorded track memory from a handheld GPS receiver that was found in the wreckage was performed. Review of that track data disclosed that the airplane flew a straight northerly track consistent with the pilot's likely planned course until it crossed over the intersection of two major interstate highways and in the immediate vicinity of a gravel road very near the eventual crash site. The airplane then turned 180 degrees and flew south about a mile where it crossed the east/west highway, then turned back north. The airplane tracked in a northerly direction about 1 mile before doing a 360-degree turn. The airplane then tracked to the north east paralleling the east/west highway, then turned right to cross the highway perpendicular to it. Once on the south side of the highway, the airplane turned southwesterly as if to parallel the highway. The track ended at this point at the coordinates of the accident site. The main wreckage, which consisted of the whole airplane, sustained substantial vertical crush damage and ground scars began about 55 feet from where it came to rest in an upright attitude. The landing gear and wing flaps were in the retracted position and the propeller displayed evidence consistent with moderate power being developed by the engine. The fuel selector was in the "ON" position and about 6 gallons of fuel was drained from the left wing. During detailed post-accident wreckage examinations, investigators found no evidence of premishap mechanical malfunctions with the engine and airframe.
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
- Flight time: 356 hours in all; 10 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,755 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 19, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: YUM Yuma AZ at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 06U Jackpot NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from ELY, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.