# NTSB ATL82DA175: Cessna 150M, N704LX, Christiansburg, VA, June 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1982, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Christiansburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.140941, -80.400436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1409&lon=-80.4004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA175

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER FLYING FROM BLACKSBURG, VA TO MONROE, NC. THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A RETURN FLIGHT TO BLACKSBURG WITHOUT REFUELING. THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE TOOK THE FUEL TANK CAPS OFF TO VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT USE THE DIP STICK THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE OPERATOR TO DETERMINE THE FUEL REMAINING. HE ESTIMATED THAT WELL OVER HALF OF THE TOTAL USABLE SUPPLY WAS REMAINING, ENOUGH FOR THE TRIP PLUS A RESERVE. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE DEVIATED LEFT AND RIGHT OF COURSE AND CLIMBED AND DESCENDED TO AVOID WEATHER. ALSO, HE USED A RICH MIXTURE FOR PART OF THE FLIGHT. THE FUEL GAUGES BEGAN INDICATING LOW, BUT HE THOUGHT THEY WERE INACCURATE. DURING A DESCENT NEAR HIS DESTINATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WHILE LANDING ON A HIGHWAY, HE S-TURNED ON FINAL APPROACH TO STAY BEHIND VEHICLES. THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT AN ANGLE TO THE HIGHWAY, STRADDLED A GUARD RAIL, AND HIT A TREE. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD FLY 4 HRS WITHOUT REFUELING, BUT ONLY FLEW 3.3 TO 3.5 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704LX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704LX-1985-08-07), registration cancelled 1985-08-07, S/N 15078706 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078706
- Airframe hours: 3383
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Virginia Polytechnic Instutute
- Registered owner: Raymond D. Roberts
- Departed: EQY, MONROE, NC
- Destination: BCB, BLACKSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 99 total, 81 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 151 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820622024169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820622024169A), Jun 22, 1982: Cessna 150M, Christianburg, VA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Failed to dip stick fuel on preflight. Landed on a highway in a crab angle. Hit a guardrail

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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