DELAVAN, WI, USA
N9055J
CESSNA 177
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying low overhead; the engine was cutting out and then quit altogether. The airplane impacted the ground in a corn field 1 hour and 26 minutes after takeoff. There was no evidence of fuel at the accident site and no signs of fuel leakage or fuel venting. The airplane impacted the ground in a 30 degree nose down pitch attitude and in a 30 degree right roll. The right fuel tank gauge indicated about 1/8 tank of fuel. The right fuel tank fuel transmitter float was caught up on the rib inside the fuel tank. An examination of the fuel level float revealed that the wire which extended past the fuel level float had not been trimmed as required and was able to contact the wing station rib #68. The fuel level transmitter was an authorized replacement part and had not been installed on the aircraft as new equipment. The engine was removed from the airplane for a test cell run, and operated normally and within performance specifications. A passenger had observed the pilot checking both fuel tanks, and the pilot indicated that there was 3-1/2 hours of fuel on board the airplane.
On August 8, 1995, at 1156 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna 177, N9055J, was destroyed when it lost control after it had experienced a loss of engine power near Delavan, Wisconsin. The private pilot and three passengers received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Palwaukee Municipal Airport, Wheeling, Illinois, en route to Lake Lawn Airport, Delavan, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he departed Palwaukee Municipal Airport at 1030 CDT. The distance to Lake Lawn Airport was about 45 nautical miles. The plane impacted the ground in a corn field at about 1156 CDT and approximately two miles from Lake Lawn Airport. The pilot reported that he suffered memory loss and cannot recall what happened during the accident. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying low overhead. They reported that the engine was cutting out and then quit altogether. None of the witnesses on the ground saw the airplane impact the ground. The passenger in the right front seat reported that they were about one to two miles from Lake Lawn Airport when the engine started cutting out. He reported that the pilot said, "Oh, we're so close." He said that within seconds the pilot was looking for a place to land. He reported that the altitude was a few hundred feet, and that the pilot aimed the airplane for a cornfield. The passenger reported that he does not remember what happened during the accident. He regained consciousness shortly after the impact, and although he was seriously injured, he attempted to get help. The Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that there was no evidence of fuel at the accident site. He reported that there were no signs of fuel leakage or fuel venting. He reported that the airplane impacted the ground in a 30 degree nose down pitch attitude and in a 30 degree right roll. The FAA inspector reported that the right fuel tank gauge indicated about 1/8 tank of fuel. He reported that the right fuel tank fuel transmitter float was caught up on the rib inside the fuel tank. He reported that it took 6.75 gallons to float the transmitter, and 7.0 gallons to move the fuel gauge indicator. The FAA inspector examined the right fuel tank fuel level transmitter. The examination revealed that the fuel level transmitter's actuating arm had a bend greater than 90 degrees and did not conform do the engineering drawings. The examination also revealed that the wire which extended past the fuel level float had not been trimmed as prescribed in the drawings, and was able to contact the wing station rib #68. It was determined that the fuel level transmitter was an authorized replacement part and had not been installed on the aircraft as new equipment. Examination of the aircraft logbooks revealed that no entry had been made for the replaced fuel transmitter. (See attachment) The engine was removed from the airplane for a test cell run. The engine operated normally and within performance specifications during the test run. (See attachment) The pilot indicated on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 6120.1/2 form that he had 15 gallons of fuel, or about one and a half hours of total fuel on board the airplane when he departed Palwaukee Airport. During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he had two hours of fuel on board the airplane. The passenger who occupied the right front seat reported that he observed the pilot checking both fuel tanks prior to flight. He reported that the pilot indicated that there was three and a half hours of fuel on board the airplane. The pilot reported that he did not trust the fuel gauges. He kept a flight log for each flight and determined that the average fuel burn was about 10 gallons per hour. (See attachments)
the pilot's failure to assure an adequate amount of fuel was available for the flight. A factor was the improperly installed fuel level transmitter.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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