# NTSB ATL92LA074: Cessna 150H, N23380, Elizabeth City, NC, April 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1992, 08:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Elizabeth City, NC
- Coordinates: 36.290401, -76.219108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2904&lon=-76.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA074

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.

## 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)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS IN A DESCENT FOR LANDING ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. AT ABOUT 4,000 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING ON A PLOWED FIELD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE SOFT SOIL, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT HAD BEEN ALOFT FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD DEPLETED HIS AVAILABLE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23380](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23380-2011-08-19), registration cancelled 2011-08-19, S/N 15068916, 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: 15068916
- Airframe hours: 5172
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maeder, Claude R.
- Registered owner: Maeder, Claude R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1991, 89 hours before
- Departed: HTO, EAST HAMPTON, NY
- Destination: EDE, EDENTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,316 total, 24 in this make and model, 2,017 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ECG, 5 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 19920406008979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920406008979A), Apr 6, 1992: Cessna 150H, Elizabeth City, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed in a plowed field and nosed over. Fuel tanks were empty. Misjudged fuel range.

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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