ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 385437
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| Date: | Sunday 12 August 2001 |
| Time: | 14:42 LT |
| Type: |  Republic RC-3 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N6755K |
| MSN: | 1043 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1947 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 605 hours |
| Engine model: | Franklin 6A8-215B9F |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Chimacum, WA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Orcas Island, WA |
| Aurora, OR (KAUO) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
After conducting a satisfactory pre-takeoff run-up check of both the right magneto and left coil ignition system, the pilot departed for his destination. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight the engine began to run rough and the pilot determined that the right magneto was not operating. He then selected the left ignition and, although the engine initially continued to run roughly, eventually all power was lost. The pilot selected an open field used by a farmer to operate his Cessna 177 in and out of due to the non-availability of any other adequate landing site. As he maneuvered through a 180 degree turn toward the landing area, he noted a 1,000-foot/minute rate of descent, which was greater than he had anticipated. The landing gear had been extended and as the aircraft was maneuvered onto a short final, the right main landing gear struck a cow. The aircraft yawed into a left skid, contacted the ground and skidded through a barbwire fence. Post-crash examination revealed that the right magneto had grounded internally resulting in its failure to operate. Additional testing revealed the left coil ignition system had also grounded internally as evidence by arcing, and it too, had failed.
Probable Cause: An internal ground in the right magneto followed by an internal ground evidenced by arcing in the left ignition coil unit, which led to failure of both the right magneto and the left coil ignition system respectively during cruise. Contributing factors were a cow impacted by the right main landing gear and the pilot's unanticipated higher than expected rate of descent during the 180 degree descending turn to final.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB SEA01LA154
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 04-Apr-2024 18:34 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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