# NTSB BFO90LA029: Cessna 150M, N63506, Leesburg, VA, February 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1990, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, VA
- Location: 39.1028° N, 77.5545° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Leesburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1028&lon=-77.5545&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA029

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL WAS ONBOARD TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AND DURING CLIMB OUT ON THE FIFTH TOUCH AND GO, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A MOMENTARY GAIN IN POWER WAS EXPERIENCED FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LOSS IN POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN MUDDY TERRAIN TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE TO AVOID TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A TOTAL OF 4 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED ONBOARD. UNUSABLE FUEL FOR THE AIRPLANE WAS 3.5 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63506](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63506-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 15077355, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077355
- Airframe hours: 3685
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter H. Schlegel
- Registered owner: Walter H. Schlegel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1990, 2 hours before
- Airport: W09, Leesburg, runway 17, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 265 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 9 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 19900218002749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900218002749A), Feb 18, 1990: Cessna 150M, Leesburg, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in mud. Nosed over. Half gallon usable fuel on board. Fuel unported due low level.

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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