Cessna 177 accident near Columbia, South Carolina, September 9, 2007
On September 9, 2007 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Cessna 177, registered N2353Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbia, South Carolina (Columbia Owens Downtown airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power as a result of the fuel mixture cable failure for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 2007 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, South Carolina · Columbia Owens Downtown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N2353Y · no longer on the register · serial 17700153
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during the engine run-up, prior to the departure from runway 31, the fuel mixture was reduced to clear the plugs. A second run up check was complete with no discrepancies noted. Just after the takeoff the engine started to misfire. The engine smoothed out momentarily and again began to misfire followed by the propeller stopping. The airplane made contact with power lines, which separated. The airplane then impacted onto a building's roof causing damage to the building before stopping. The occupants exited the airplane without assistance. The FAA representative stated that after the wreckage was recovered a post accident engine inspection and test run was completed. The inspection revealed that the fuel mixture control cable broke, which cut off the fuel at the carburetor. The engine ran without any discrepancies when tested. As per the owner of the airplane, the last inspection to the airplane was on October 3, 2006.
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: 204 hours in all; 204 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,688 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2006
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCUB Columbia SC
- Destination: K6JO Pelton SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KCUB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.