# NTSB BFO91LA079: Cessna 150, N5794G, Fallston, MD, September 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1991, 15:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Fallston, MD
- Coordinates: 39.519882, -76.420799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5199&lon=-76.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE FUEL QUANTITY BEFORE HIS FLIGHT AND MONITOR THE QUANTITY DURING THE FLIGHT, 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, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANKS ON HIS AIRCRAFT WERE FULL BUT DID NOT PERSONALLY CHECK THE QUANTITY. LATER IN THE DAY, NEAR THE END OF HIS FOURTH FLIGHT LEG AND 2.1 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING WHILE CRUISING AT 2,000 FEET. DUE TO HEAVILY WOODED TERRAIN, THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND HIS AIRCRAFT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN THE FRONT LAWN OF A RESIDENCE SUSTAINING HEAVY DAMAGE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LAWN AND TWO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5794G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5794G-1997-11-03), registration cancelled 1997-11-03, S/N 15071294 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071294
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ram-Air
- Registered owner: Ram-Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1991
- Departed: W29, STEVNSVILLE, MD
- Destination: W42, FALLSTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 40 nm away

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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