Cessna 177 N29615 accident near Hudson Oaks, Texas

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s improper fuel planning.

NTSB analysis

During a personal flight, the pilot was descending the airplane for landing and added throttle, but the engine did not respond. The pilot decided to make a forced landing, during which the airplane collided with power lines and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.

Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine found damage in the engine area that precluded documentation of the throttle cable’s full range of travel. Examination of the accident site found no evidence of fuel in the tanks, but fuel did not appear to have leaked from the tanks. The pilot reported that the airplane should have contained at least 10 gallons of fuel. Thus, the pilot’s fuel calculations could have been incorrect, resulting in fuel exhaustion. In addition, the airplane was operating in an area conducive for the formation of serious icing at glide power. However, the pilot stated that he applied carburetor heat and enrichened the mixture when he began descending.

The postaccident airplane and engine examination revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. As a result, and based on the available evidence, the reason for the partial loss of engine power was most likely the result of fuel exhaustion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA036 for the full record.