On March 25, 1985, a Cessna 177 (registration N52690) was involved in an aviation accident near Roanoke, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine quit due to a fuel system obstruction caused by foreign debris and small insects. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The engine quit on downwind leg, forcing a landing on soft terrain where the left main gear collapsed after fuel system blockage by debris and insects was found.
What happened
The aircraft experienced an unexpected loss of power while flying on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. Unable to glide back to the runway, the pilot executed a forced landing on soft terrain located off the approach end of the runway. Upon impact and during the subsequent slide to a stop, the left main landing gear collapsed and the nose wheel broke off.
The investigation
A subsequent examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuel system was obstructed by foreign debris and small insects. This blockage prevented proper fuel flow, leading to the engine failure.
Probable cause
The engine quit due to a fuel system obstruction caused by foreign debris and small insects.
What happened in the 25 Mar 1985 Cessna 177 accident near Roanoke, TX?
The engine quit on downwind leg, forcing a landing on soft terrain where the left main gear collapsed after fuel system blockage by debris and insects was found.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 25 Mar 1985 involved a Cessna 177, registration N52690, at Roanoke, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The engine quit due to a fuel system obstruction caused by foreign debris and small insects.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…