# NTSB ATL88LA004: Cessna 150L, N11838, Cordesville, SC, October 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1987, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Cordesville, SC
- Coordinates: 33.130302, -79.880928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1303&lon=-79.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LDG ON SOFT TERRAIN, AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING DESCENT FROM CRUISE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. HE HAD MADE AN UNPLANNED STOP EARLIER TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL FUEL, AFTER ENCOUNTERING STRONGER THAN EXPECTED HEADWINDS. PRIOR TO REFUELING THE AIRPLANE WITH SIX GALLONS OF AVGAS, HE OBSERVED THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATING 1/8 FULL. THE AIRPLANE HAD A USABLE FUEL CAPACITY OF 22.5 GALLONS. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ABOUT 15 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11838](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11838-2012-06-04), registration cancelled 2012-06-04, S/N 15075664, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075664
- Airframe hours: 2768
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norfolk Navy Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 1987
- Departed: CRE, N.MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 24 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS

## 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 19871006058809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871006058809A), Oct 6, 1987: Cessna 150L, Cordesville, SC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel shortly after a fueling stop. Failed to purchase sufficient fuel to complete the proposed flight.

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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