Cessna 177RG accident near Gila Bend, Arizona, April 5, 2011
On April 5, 2011 at about 5:21 pm local time, a Cessna 177RG, registered N2637V, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Gila Bend, Arizona. 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 total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to both sets of magneto points failing to open as a result of excessive wear of the magneto cam followers.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 5, 2011 · about 5:21 pm local time
- Place
- Gila Bend, Arizona · 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
- N2637V · no longer on the register · serial 177RG0637
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during cruise flight he heard a loud noise from the engine compartment followed by an immediate loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine with no success while diverting to the nearest airport. Upon realizing that he would be unable to reach the airport, he decided to land on an interstate highway. As he approached the highway, the pilot observed heavy traffic and decided to land on an adjacent service road. During the landing roll, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane ground looped, resulting in structural damage to both wings. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that both sets of magneto points were not opening. Inspection of the single-drive dual magneto found that the cam followers on both sets of points were worn to the point that they could no longer open the contacts. The magneto had accumulated 603.7 hours at the time of the accident since installation and 92.56 hours since the most recent magneto timing adjustment. No further anomalies were noted during the examination of the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 812 hours in all; 442 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 711 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 30, 2009
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,677 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2011; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RNM Ramona CA at 2:45 pm
- Destination: FHU Sierra Vista AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from KGBN, 20 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N2637V the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.