Incident
On July 12, 2020, at approximately 1223 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177A, registration N30309, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Falmouth, Kentucky. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Preflight and Departure
The pilot reported that he was repositioning the airplane for a new owner as a favor to the previous owner. During the preflight inspection, he used a wooden stick found in the airplane, marked with lines and annotated with "5," to measure the fuel level in each tank. Based on the readings, he estimated each tank contained about 12.5 gallons of fuel, which he believed was sufficient for the intended flight. He did not confirm with the previous owner whether the dipstick was calibrated. After engine start, he taxied to the runway and performed an engine run-up with no discrepancies noted.
Flight and Forced Landing
According to ADS-B data, the flight departed at 1128 and proceeded in an east-northeast direction, later turning northeast. About 40 to 45 minutes into the flight, while at 3,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot noticed a slight drop in engine rpm, which he attributed to carburetor ice. He applied carburetor heat, restoring rpm. Approximately 3 to 4 minutes later, the engine rpm decreased significantly and the engine then quit. The pilot maintained best glide airspeed, checked the ignition and mixture, and verified the fuel selector was on both. He began looking for a landing site in an area of rolling hills with trees. He selected a cow pasture and flew a short right base leg, extending the flaps. In anticipation of the forced landing, he turned off the master switch, cracked open the door, and touched down on downsloping terrain. Due to bumpy terrain, the airplane bounced; he flared and touched down again on upsloping terrain. While slowing, the airplane nosed over.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination at the site by a first responder and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no evidence of fuel smell or leakage. The wings were removed and the fuselage uprighted. No fuel was noted in either wing fuel tank, and there was no evidence of fuel leaks from the wings, fuel caps, or fuel vent system. About 2 ounces of blue-colored fuel consistent with 100 low lead was drained from the carburetor float bowl, and about 4 ounces from the airframe fuel strainer. No water contamination was observed. Five days after the accident, the FAA inspector revisited the site and noted no appreciable browning of vegetation beneath the resting position of either wing.
After the airplane was recovered, fuel was plumbed into the fuel supply line at each wing root, and the engine was started and operated with no discrepancies noted.
A pre-buy inspection had been completed on the airplane in early June 2020, and an annual inspection on July 10, 2020. The airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization who performed both inspections noted that in June, both fuel gauges registered about 1/4 capacity, which he estimated as no more than six gallons in each tank based on his visual inspection. As part of the annual inspection, the engine was started and the airplane was taxied for an engine run, then returned to the ramp and parked. There was no record that fuel was added between the post-inspection engine run and the accident flight.