FRANKFORT, KY, USA
N29362
Cessna 177
On approach to the airport, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The pilot stated that the airplane had a Supplemental Type Certificate for automobile gasoline. Before the flight, the pilot added 15 gallons of automobile gasoline to the airplane. He thought he originally purchased the gasoline at an automotive gas station. The pilot believed that the fuel filter became clogged as a result of fuel contamination. Additionally, the airplane's engine had approximately 2,100 hours of operating time since its last remanufacture, about 24 years before the accident date. A FAA Inspector did not find any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He did observe fuel in both fuel tanks, but did not find any debris in the fuel filter.
On October 7, 1999, about 1945 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 177, N29362, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Frankfort, Kentucky. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Willow Island Airpark, Finchville, Kentucky; and was destined for Capital City Airport (FFT), Frankfort, Kentucky. According to the pilot's written statement: "...About 3 or 4 miles west of the Frankfort Airport the engine quit...I landed [in a field] going up hill and the nose gear folded on the way down the other side. The prop had stopped before we landed and wasn't bent. We got out and walked away." During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airplane had a Supplemental Type Certificate for automobile gasoline. He added 15 gallons of automobile gasoline to the airplane before the flight. The pilot originally purchased the gasoline at an automobile gas station. He believed the fuel filter became clogged due to fuel contamination. The pilot submitted a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form. According to the form, the airplane's engine was remanufactured on November 19, 1975. At the time of the accident, it had approximately 2,100 hours of operating time since the date of remanufacture. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The Inspector observed fuel in both fuel tanks. He did not find any debris in the fuel filter.
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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