# NTSB CEN11LA472: Cessna 150J, N50575, Lacassine, LA, July 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2011, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Lacassine, LA - Coordinates: 30.238889, -92.839447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2389&lon=-92.8394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA472 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81084/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81084 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA472 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to departure, the pilot estimated that the airplane contained about 9 gallons of fuel; however, he did not perform a visual inspection of the fuel quantity. About 30 minutes after departure, the airplane’s engine lost power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a cane field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. Following the accident, about 3 gallons of fuel were recovered from the airplane’s fuel tanks. The two fuel tanks were not compromised during the accident, and both fuel caps were securely fastened. In addition, there was no smell of fuel and no noticeable fuel blight on vegetation at the accident site. The airplane’s total capacity was 26 gallons of fuel, of which 21.5 gallons were usable. The remaining 4.5 gallons were considered unusable fuel. The postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s airframe or engine that would have prevented the airplane from operating normally. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2011, about 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N50575, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lacassine, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The cross-country flight had originated from the Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH), Lake Charles, Louisiana, at 1230, and was destined for the Welsh Airport (6R1), Welsh, Louisiana. According to the pilot, prior to departure, he estimated that the airplane contained about 9 gallons of fuel. A ladder was not available so a visual check was not performed. Approximate 30 minutes after departure the airplane’s engine lost power and the rpm dropped to approximately 1,500 rpm. Unable to maintain altitude the pilot performed a forced landing to a cane field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. During impact, the airplane’s fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed a postaccident examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, approximately 3 gallons of fuel were recovered from the airplane’s fuel tanks. Neither of the two fuel tanks had been compromised during the accident and both fuel caps were found securely fastened. There was no smell of fuel and no noticeable fuel blight on vegetation at the accident site. The inspector further reported that he found no mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s airframe or engine that would have prevented the airplane from operating normally. According to the airplane’s Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), the airplane could accommodate 26 gallons of fuel, of which 21.5 gallons were usable. The remaining 4.5 gallons were considered unusable fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50575](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50575-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 15069406, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069406 - Airframe hours: 5081 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2011 - Departed: LCH, Lake Charles, LA - Destination: 6R1, Welsh, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 17,300 total, 165 in this make and model, 14,170 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 20110709015959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110709015959A), Jul 9, 2011: Cessna 150J, Welsh, LA, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted]PIC was repositioning the aircraft to Welsh, LA, with a passenger on board. Had just completed slow flight maneuver at 2000 feet and upon… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81084. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 1, Left Side View (item 3, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201,%20Left%20Side%20View-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.