ATL96LA009

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150F · Charlotte, NC · October 21, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
October 21, 1995, 19:33 local (23:33 UTC)
Place
Charlotte, NC
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N7157FCessna 150F
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Dusk
Status
Completed · report April 1, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19951021033769A
Case key
3669

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate fuel supply.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Fluid,fuel - exhaustion
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Fuel supply - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Terrain condition - rough/uneven
Object - tree(s)

Analysis

Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. He made a forced landing to a nearby road and collided with the median and planted trees. During the wreckage examination, approximately one gallon of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. The pilot had flown three hours and fifteen minutes before the loss of power was experienced.

Factual narrative

On October 21, 1995, at 1933 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N7157F, collided with the median of a local street while attempting an emergency landing two miles northeast of Charlotte, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Manassas, Virginia, at 1615 hours.

The flight was on a final approach to runway 23 at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, when the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power. The pilot selected a nearby paved street and attempted an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with the street median and planted trees.

Approximately one gallon of aviation fuel was recovered from the aircraft fuel system during the wreckage examination. The pilot stated that the airplane was topped off with aviation fuel before he departed Manassas. With normal fuel conservation procedures employed, the Cessna 150 has an approximate fuel endurance of four hours. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

The Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received (see attached NTSB letter of request and U.S. Postal Service Receipt for Certified Mail).

Aircraft

Registration
N7157F
Reported as
Cessna 150F
Category
Airplane
Serial number
1503757
Airframe hours
3,371
Engine
Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Randel Spencer
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 25, 1995
Departed
HEF · Manassas, VA
Destination
CLT
Airport
CLT · Charlotte, runway 23, 7,501 × 150 ft, concrete

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
33
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
95 total · 75 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Dusk
Wind
230° at 6 knots
Visibility
25 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
61 °F, dew point 34 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
CLT, 2 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.