NTSB Factual Report

On November 8, 2016, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 177B, N30703, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hopkinton, Rhode Island. The private pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Windham Airport (IJD), Willimantic, Connecticut, destined for Richmond Airport (08R), West Kingston, Rhode Island. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

After a normal preflight inspection, the pilot departed towards the southwest for the 28 nautical mile flight to 08R. During cruise flight about 7 nautical miles from the destination airport, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. From an altitude of 1,800 feet mean sea level, the pilot selected a field and executed a forced landing.

During the landing roll, the airplane impacted two small trees before it came to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage.

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to get fuel at 08R. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane before it was recovered did not observe any fuel in the compromised fuel tanks; nor was there any blighting of the grass or any other evidence of a fuel spill.

The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-360, 180-horsepower engine, which was retained for further examination.