# NTSB ATL89LA125: Cessna 150B, N1214Y, Hickory, NC, April 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Hickory, NC
- Location: 35.7332° N, 81.3412° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hickory, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7332&lon=-81.3412&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - aborted
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 75 FT AGL A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AFTER CONTACTING THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE EARLIER IN THE DAY AND HAD NOT REFUELED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING APRX 5 GALLONS OF FUEL ONBOARD PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1214Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1214Y-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 15059614, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150B
- Registry model: [Cessna 150B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150b) (registry code 2071806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15059614
- Airframe hours: 2770
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 120 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lewis Bibbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 18 hours before
- Departed: HICKORY, NC
- Destination: LCL
- Airport: WIJ, Wilson, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY

## 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 19890410007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890410007419A), Apr 10, 1989: Cessna 150B, Hickory, NC, Substantial damage. Detected engine sputter on takeoff. Aborted and nosed over for airspeed but neglected to flare for 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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