Cessna 177RG accident near Fall City, Washington, July 27, 2019
On July 27, 2019 at about 2:20 am local time, a 1971 Cessna 177RG, registered N1828Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Fall City, Washington (Fall City airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the No. 3 cylinder intake valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing on uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2019 · about 2:20 am local time
- Place
- Fall City, Washington · Fall City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG No Series, built 1971 · all 177RGs on the register
- Registration
- N1828Q · no longer on the register · serial 177RG0228
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross-country flight, as the pilot neared his level-off altitude, the airplane’s engine began to run rough. The pilot elected to return to the departure airport. However, during the return, the engine continued to run rough and lose power, which prompted him to land at the nearest airport. He had difficulty locating the airport during the approach, which resulted in the airplane being high in altitude and airspeed. The pilot initiated a go-around, but, during the go around the engine lost additional power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll due to uneven terrain and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the engine and an engine run revealed that the No. 3 cylinder was non-operational. Examination revealed that the No. 3 intake valve head was deformed, likely from exposure to excessive temperatures, which resulted in the softening of the valve material. The deformity of the valve did not allow the intake valve to seat properly and left a noticeable gap through which gases and air could escape. This gap would result in the loss of power from the No. 3 cylinder. The reason for the overheat condition could not be determined based on available evidence.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during unknown
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Damaged/degraded
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Inoperative
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 206 hours in all; 119 in this make and model; 162 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 27, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 14, 2019; 5,405 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 (piston); 3,577 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S43 Snohomish WA at 1:45 am
- Destination: S12 Albany OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway E, 3,000 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 am from KPAE, 27 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPAE 270153Z 35008KT 10SM CLR 22/14 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02170144
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 17, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Airframe and Engine Examination | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Annual Inspection Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.