Pilot Debrief

Cessna 177RG near Vacaville, CA — 2017-07-07

Final reportWPR17LA142
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Date
2017-07-07
Location
Vacaville, CA, USA
Airport
VCB
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Registration
N7532V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that all indications during the preflight engine runup check were good. After takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 ft above ground level during the initial climb, the engine lost total power. The pilot then chose to land the airplane straight ahead in an open field. During the landing, the left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation, and sufficient fuel was aboard the airplane at the time of the accident. As a result, the investigation could not determine why the loss of engine power occurred.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine began to lose power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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