# NTSB ATL90LA137: Cessna 150L, N1408Q, Blountville, TN, June 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 21:08 local (Jun 24, 1990, 01:08 UTC)
- Place: Blountville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.530643, -82.319572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5306&lon=-82.3196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED FOLLOWED BY A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HIS FLIGHT PLANNING INDICATED THAT THE FLIGHT WOULD REQUIRE 2.5 HOUS. AFTER 3.5 HOURS THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 8 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION. HE STATED THE INCREASED TIME WAS BECAUSE OF HEADWINDS. HE DID NOT INDICATE THE MIXTURE SETTING USED DURING CRUISE. WHILE DESCENDING FOR LANDING THE ENGINE SPUTTERED, CAUGHT, & QUIT. A FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A FENCE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED. ABOUT ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED. LATER THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED. THE ONLY ANOMALY NOTED DURING THE ENGINE OPERATION WAS AN INDICATION OF A VERY RICH MIXTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1408Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1408Q-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N 15072708, built 1971 (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: 15072708
- Airframe hours: 5940
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nolen, Jack R.
- Registered owner: Carrington, Donald I
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1990
- Departed: LFN, LOUISBERG, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TRI, Tri City Regional, runway 23, 7,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,157 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,046 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 3 nm away

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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