# NTSB ATL96LA034: Cessna 150L, N18181, Sun City, FL, January 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1996, 23:33 local (Jan 13, 1996, 04:33 UTC) - Place: Sun City, FL - Location: 27.6784° N, 82.4787° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sun City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6784&lon=-82.4787&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3685/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Darkness was a related factor. ## Analysis According to the pilot, about three hours into the flight, he experienced a complete loss of engine power. He selected a nearby state highway and attempted an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a utility pole. During an examination of the airplane, no fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank, and approximately one gallon of fuel was recovered from the right tank. The engine performed properly during an operational check. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 1996, at 2333 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150L, N18181, collided with a utility pole while attempting an emergency landing on a state highway near Sun City, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Tampa, Florida, at 2030. According to the pilot, about three hours into the flight, he experienced a complete loss of engine power. He selected a nearby state highway and attempted an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the left wing collided with a guywire to a utility pole, tearing off part of the left wing. During an examination of the airplane, no fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank, and approximately one gallon of fuel was recovered from the right tank. The engine was examined and operated, and it performed properly. The pilot provided a statement. He did not indicate if the fuel tanks were filled to capacity. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - roadway/highway - light condition - night (contributing factor) - object - utility pole ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18181](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18181-2005-12-13), registration cancelled 2005-12-13, S/N 15073848, built 1972 (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: 150-73848 - Airframe hours: 7966 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leading Edge Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 29, 1995, 80 hours before - Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Destination: X16, TAMPA, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 12 in this make and model, 41 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 340° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 20 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 19960112001399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960112001399A), Jan 12, 1996: Cessna 150L, Sun City, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) According to the pilot, about three hours into the flight, he experienced a complete loss of engine power. He selected a nearby state highway and… 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.