On February 12, 1990, a Cessna 177B (registration N35100) was involved in an aviation accident near Raleigh, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft experienced complete engine failure during level cruise on a cross-country flight. The pilot attempted restarts but was forced to land in a muddy field, resulting in a nose-over.
What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was engaged in a cross-country flight at level cruise altitude. During this phase of flight, the engine began to operate roughly before losing power completely. The pilot initiated restart procedures; however, these efforts were unsuccessful. Consequently, the pilot conducted a forced landing in a muddy field. Upon impact, the aircraft nosed over.
The investigation
A review of the accident site revealed no evidence of usable fuel remaining on board the aircraft. Additionally, there were no indications that fuel had been spilled at the location of the crash.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.