# NTSB CEN11LA188: Cessna 150G, N3257J, Springdale, AR, February 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 12, 2011, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Springdale, AR - Coordinates: 36.176387, -94.119163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1764&lon=-94.1192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78352 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78352/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78352 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA188 ## 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 management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on final approach to the destination airport, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose low attitude and came to rest adjacent to a fence, several hundred yards short of the runway, resulting in substantial damage. During the recovery of the airplane a total of 1.75 gallons of fuel was recovered from both wing fuel tanks. The fuel tanks had not been compromised and had an unusable fuel total of 3 gallons. The commercial pilot reported to law enforcement personnel that they had not refueled prior to the return flight. ## Factual narrative On February 12, 2011, approximately 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 150G airplane, N3257J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Springdale Municipal Airport (KASG), Springdale, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot and private pilot sustained minor injuries. The cross-country flight had departed Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was en route to KASG. According to the accident report form submitted by the commercial pilot, he and the private pilot were returning to KASG after spending the day in Hot Springs. While on final to runway 18, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose low attitude and came to rest adjacent to a fence, several hundred yards short of the runway. The fuselage was bent downward just forward of the empennage. During the recovery of the airplane, a total of 1.75 gallons of fuel was recovered from both wing fuel tanks. The fuel tanks had not been compromised. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that this airplane had an unusable fuel total of 3 gallons. The commercial pilot reported to law enforcement personnel that they had not refueled prior to their return flight. According to the commercial pilot, he was not acting in the capacity of a flight instructor, nor was he acting as pilot in command. He was occupying the right seat. According to an affidavit submitted by the private pilot, he was not acting as pilot in command. The commercial pilot reported the private pilot was occupying the left seat and was flying at the time of the accident. Local law enforcement reported that the commercial pilot had consumed several beers prior to the flight and smelled of alcohol. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3257J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3257J-2012-08-28), registration cancelled 2012-08-28, S/N 15065957, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065957 - Airframe hours: 5567.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES 100 horsepower - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2010 - Departed: Hot Springs, AR - Destination: KASG, Springdale, AR - Airport: KASG, Springdale Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KASG, 1 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 20110212002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110212002889A), Feb 12, 2011: Cessna 150G, Springdale, AR, Destroyed. On February 12, 2010, at 1710 CST, a Cessna 150G, N3257J, registered to [privacy data omitted] and [privacy data omitted] struck the north runway approach… ## Other investigations on N3257J (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC76FHJ08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FHJ08), Nov 2, 1975: Cessna 150G (N3257J), East Moriches, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78352. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Affidavit for Pilot or Passenger (item 2, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Affidavit%20for%20Pilot%20or%20Passenger-Redacted.PDF - Statements - CEN11LA188 (item 3, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements%20-%20CEN11LA188-Redacted.PDF - Accident Report Photographs - CEN11LA188 (item 4, .PDF, 462 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs%20-%20CEN11LA188-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.