# NTSB ATL84FIA01: Cessna 150K, N6385G, Newburg, MD, November 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1983, 10:34 local (15:34 UTC)
- Place: Newburg, MD
- Coordinates: 38.340156, -76.919166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3402&lon=-76.9192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FIA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FIA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF AT APRX 200 FT AGL, THE ENG BEGAN TO SPUTTER & RUN ROUGH. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A 180 DEG TURN IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH A CLEAR AREA. HOWEVER, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE & IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN APRX 4 HRS SINCE IT WAS REFUELED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY WHILE THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED AN ESTIMATED 3 TO 4 GAL. A SMALL AMOUNT OF CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. A CHECK OF THE FUEL LINE FILTER INDICATED A PROLONGED BUILD UP OF FINE SILICONE SILT, RUST PARTICLES & DISOLVED MICE DROPPINGS. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENG REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT/OWNER HAD USED A STICK, NOTCHED IN INCREMENTS, TO DETERMINE THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, THE ACCURACY OF HIS METHOD WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6385G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150711885
- Airframe hours: 3503
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F & Cheryl Offenbacher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1983, 124 hours before
- Airport: 2W8, Aqualand/Clifton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 153 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 17,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 35 nm away

## 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 19831123058589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831123058589A), Nov 23, 1983: Cessna 150K, Newburg, MD, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on climbout. Struck a tree on forced landing.

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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