NTSB Factual Report

On May 14, 2001, at 0113 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2890X experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Zephyrhills, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The flight departed Key West , Florida, at 2230 hours.

According to the pilot, he and his family had flown to Key West, Florida, earlier that day with full fuel onboard the airplane. After refueling in Key West, Florida, the pilot was enroute home when the engine suddenly lost power and quit. Attempts by the pilot to restore engine full engine power failed. The pilot selected an emergency landing area and the airplane collided with the ground one mile south of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Examination of the airplane revealed both wings had separated from the aircraft and the cabin roof showed impact damage. During the examination of the airplane, no fuel was recovered from the fuel system and no fuel was observed on the ground at the accident site. The pilot reported refueling with 20 gallons of aviation fuel at Key West before departing, but stated he did not visually check the fuel quantity. No mechanical malfunction was found with the engine. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT PLAN FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT THAT RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.