# NTSB ATL85LA160: Cessna 150J, N51347, Atkins, VA, May 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1985, 09:07 local (13:07 UTC)
- Place: Atkins, VA
- Coordinates: 36.860916, -81.389732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8609&lon=-81.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA160

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR WHICH RESULTED FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT HAD EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE LOWERED A ROPE INTO THE FUEL TANKS TO CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY (FUEL GAGES INOP DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE). APRX 2 INCHES OF ROPE WAS MOISTENED BY FUEL AND THE PLT JUDGED THAT ENOUGH FUEL WAS IN THE TANKS TO COMPLETE THE X-COUNTRY. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED 1 GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51347](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51347), registered now, S/N 15069942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-69942
- Airframe hours: 2764
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy E. Teeter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: 0A4, JOHNSON CITY, TN
- Destination: 5A1, MARION, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,910 total, 39 in this make and model, 1,820 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 28 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 19850512016439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850512016439A), May 12, 1985: Cessna 150J, Atkins, VA, Substantial damage. Flipped over after landing in field due to fuel exhaustion. Electrical system inoperative.

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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