Cessna Which Impacted An Apartment Building Near Dulles Airport Reportedly 'Lost Power Twice'

The two people on board a Cessna 177B which impacted a third-floor apartment on May 31st near Dulles Airport in the Washington, D.C. metro area had discussed the airplane's fuel situation before it lost power, according to the NTSB's preliminary report.

The two aboard the airplane and one person in the apartment sustained minor injuries in the accident. According to the report a VFR flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 2140, and was destined for Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Manassas, Virginia. The aerial observation flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to perform aerial photography in the vicinity of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Frederick, Maryland; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The pilot and passenger originally departed about 1215, on the day of the accident, from HEF and flew to Gaithersburg and Fredrick, before landing at Chester County Airport (MQS), Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The flight then proceeded to PNE, and landed about 1550.

The pilot determined that given the quantity of fuel remaining in the airplane’s fuel tanks, 15 additional gallons would be required to perform the subsequent aerial photography flight before returning to HEF. The pilot and passenger then departed PNE about 2140. After completing the photography portion of the flight, and while enroute to HEF, the pilot and passenger began discussing the airplane’s fuel situation, noting that the left fuel quantity gauge indicated just above empty while the right fuel quantity gauge indicated just above 1/4-tank. About 0000, the pilot and passenger decided that adequate fuel remained and that they would continue to HEF.

About 0007, the airplane’s engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot contacted air traffic control and requested an emergency landing at Dulles International Airport (IAD), Herndon, Virginia. The passenger also operated the mixture and throttle controls in an effort to restore engine power, which was initially successful, but the engine again ceased producing power after about 15 seconds. The pilot then realized that the airplane would not be able to reach IAD, and prepared for an off-airport landing. Shortly thereafter, the airplane struck the residential structure.

(Cessna 177 Cardinal pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov