# NTSB ATL96LA009: Cessna 150F, N7157F, Charlotte, NC, October 21, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 1995, 19:33 local (23:33 UTC) - Place: Charlotte, NC - Coordinates: 35.22977, -80.91027 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2298&lon=-80.9103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3669 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3669/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate fuel supply. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7157F-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 15063757, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1503757 - Airframe hours: 3371 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19951021033769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951021033769A), Oct 21, 1995: Cessna 150F, Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach to airport. Landing on highway median hit trees. Out of fuel. Plane has short 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.