# NTSB CEN10CA092: Cessna 150L, N10401, Brownstown, IL, January 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 5, 2010, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Brownstown, IL - Coordinates: 38.995555, -88.952774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9956&lon=-88.9528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-SPI-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75243 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75243/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75243 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA092 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the student pilot becoming lost/disoriented in flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: haze/smoke](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: geographic disorient (lost)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he was given a clearance to climb out to the west after taking off on the last leg of a three-leg cross-country flight. He departed at 3:35 local time, with 26 gallons of fuel on board. He stated that by the time he was able to turn onto his course heading he was off his planned route of flight. He reported that the haze and setting sun made it difficult to see and that he was not able to locate his checkpoints to get back on course. After flying around in order to attempt to identify his visual checkpoints, the engine experienced fuel exhaustion and the pilot performed an off-airport landing to a dark area in the terrain; however, the field was short and the airplane contacted trees and nosed over during the landing flare. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated he was given a clearance to climb out to the west after taking off on the last leg of a three-leg cross country flight. He stated that by the time he was able to turn onto his course heading, he was off his planned route of flight. He stated that the haze and setting sun made it difficult to see, and he was not able to locate his checkpoints to get back on course. The pilot stated that while he was getting help from his flight instructor, the engine experienced fuel exhaustion and he performed an off airport landing. He stated he chose a dark area in the terrain on which to land; however, the field was short and the airplane contacted trees and nosed over during the landing flare. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10401](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10401-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 15074845, built 1973 (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: 15074845 - Airframe hours: 5726 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Cuvar Philip M - Registered owner: Cuvar Philip M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2009, 15 hours before - Departed: DEC, Decatur, IL - Destination: 3LF, Litchfield, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 16 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: ENL, 32 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 20100105025629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100105025629A), Jan 5, 2010: Cessna 150L, Brownstown, IL, Substantial damage. On cross country flight from decatur, IL to litchfield, IL the student pilot became disoriented and lost, while the airman was searching for litchfield airport… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75243. 499 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324008&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.