Cessna 177 accident near Chandler, Arizona, August 25, 2009
On August 25, 2009 at about 11:25 pm local time, a Cessna 177, registered N30715, was destroyed in an accident during standing (engine(s) not oper) near Chandler, Arizona (Chandler Municipal Airport). It was an instructional 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
An on-ground fire in the engine compartment for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 25, 2009 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Chandler Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 B · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N30715 · no longer on the register · serial 17701418
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After attempting to start the engine four times without success the pilot called his flight instructor, who advised him to use the "flooded" procedure. Following an unsuccessful start attempt using the flooded procedure, the pilot was going through the checklist when he heard a "pop" sound, then observed dark smoke coming from the engine. The pilot then exited the airplane while first responders extinguished the fire. The pilot stated that a second fire erupted in the engine compartment and "...the airplane's engine started and the propeller started spinning." The airplane was subsequently destroyed by fire damage. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed extensive fire damage to the engine and forward part of the airframe, which precluded determination of the reason for the fire.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during standing (engine(s) not oper) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 140 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 88 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,263 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 28, 2009; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ
- Destination: TUC Tucson AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 am from CHD1
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.