# NTSB ATL87LA155: Cessna 150H, N22553, Andalusia, AL, June 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1987, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Andalusia, AL
- Coordinates: 31.30059, -86.480209 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3006&lon=-86.4802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - refueling - not obtained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI WAS GIVING INSTRUCTION TO A BEGINNING STUDENT. DURING PREFLIGHT HE NOTED THAT THE LT TANK FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 'FULL' WHILE THE RT TANK GAUGE INIDATED '1/2 FULL '. AFTER ABOUT 40 MINUTES OF FLYING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER A PRACTICE T&G LDG. THE CFI LANDED THE ACFT, LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH THE STUDENT HOLDING THE BRAKES, AND VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL SUPPLY; HE OBSERVED A FUEL LEVEL ABOUT 'THREE INCHES IN DEPTH' IN BOTH TANKS. AFTER A RUN-UP, ANOTHER TAKEOFF WAS MADE. AT ABOUT 350 FT AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOST POWER ALTOGETHER. A LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO A FRESHLY-PLOWED FIELD WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER INVERTED. SUBSEQUENT CALCULATIONS INDICATED THAT ABOUT 3 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE LAST TAKEOFF, ACCORDING TO THE CFI. TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA FOR THE 150H INDICATES THAT 3.5 GALS OF THE ACFT TOTAL FUEL CAPCITY IS UNUSABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22553-2013-08-02), registration cancelled 2013-08-02, S/N 15068357, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068357
- Airframe hours: 1596
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: M & M Flying Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Dennis P. Hensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1987, 11 hours before
- Airport: 79J, Andalusiaopp, runway 29, 5,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,031 total, 590 in this make and model, 911 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19870601020889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870601020889A), Jun 1, 1987: Cessna 150H, Andalusia, AL, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion after takeoff. Instructor visually checked tanks before the last takeoff.

## Other investigations on N22553 (3)

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.

- [NTSB ATL88LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA012), Oct 14, 1987: Cessna 150H (N22553), Scyrene, AL, substantial damage
- [NTSB ATL85LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA210), Jul 10, 1985: Cessna 150H (N22553), Enterprise, AL, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC77DFA39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77DFA39), Sep 11, 1977: Cessna 150 (N22553), Frankfort, NY, substantial damage

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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