# NTSB CEN11CA241: Cessna 150M, N714FS, Garland, TX, March 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2011, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Garland, TX - Coordinates: 32.968612, -96.836387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9686&lon=-96.8364&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 June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78653 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78653/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78653 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA241 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## 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 150M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/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 150M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane lost engine power in-flight while en route to its destination. He performed a forced landing to a terraced field. He reported that there was sunlight, which blocked his detection of the terrace. The airplane's nose landing gear impacted the terrace, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. An on-scene examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no usable fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he had 24 gallons of fuel on board when he departed. The airplane lost engine power in flight while en route to its destination, an approximate distance of 58 miles. The pilot performed a forced landing on a terraced field. The pilot reported that there was sunlight, which blocked his detection of the terrace. The airplane's nose landing gear impacted the terrace, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot's accident report indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the accident flight. An on-scene examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no usable fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714FS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714FS-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 15079147, built 1976 (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: 15079147 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mesquite Aviation - Registered owner: Blevins Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GYI, Sherman, TX - Destination: HQZ, Mesquite, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 468 total, 259 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ADS ## 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 20110319005079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110319005079A), Mar 19, 2011: Cessna 150M, Mesquite, TX, Substantial damage. On March 19, 2011 at approximatley 2330Z a Cessna single engine aircraft was on a VFR flight from sherman, TX (kgyi) to Mesquite, TX (khqz). While enroute the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78653. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.