# NTSB CEN26LA249: Cessna 150, N3773J, Ellsworth, KS, July 10, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 9, 2026, 20:56 local (Jul 10, 2026, 01:56 UTC) - Place: Ellsworth, KS - Coordinates: 38.836944, -98.130555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8369&lon=-98.1306&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203381/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203381 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA249 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: expectation/assumption](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041525/cases.md) - [Pressures/demands: time/schedule pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010): Environmental issues › Task environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071816), [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 150G, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was at the end of a multi-leg flight that included touch and go landings at two different airports. About 23 miles from his destination, about 2,000 ft above ground level (agl), the pilot noticed the fuel gauges indicated a low fuel quantity. The engine began to sputter, and he immediately moved the mixture control to the full rich position. He reported that a brief rise in engine RPM occurred after which the engine did not regain sufficient power to maintain flight. The engine sustained a total loss of power. The pilot established a glide attitude and selected a landing area. During the forced landing sequence, the airplane contacted a power line and nosed over into a grass field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed evidence consistent with no prop rotation at the time of impact and only residual fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated in his accident report that he would use more conservative fuel calculations in the future and make more frequent fuel stops. The pilot also acknowledged that after the accident he recognized he had desired to complete the flight before nightfall to avoid having to spend the night away from home. He stated this may have acted as an external factor in his decision making. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3773J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3773J), registered now, S/N 15065073, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (G) - 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: 15065073 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3285 - Engines: Continental Motors O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bertrand Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 11, 2026 - Departed: KSLN, Salina, KS - Destination: KSLN, Salina, KS - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 16, 2025; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 326 total, 3.5 in this make and model, 277 as pilot in command, 3.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KSLN, 23 nm away - METAR: METAR KSLN 091553Z 08007KT 10SM CLR 28/20 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP104 T02780200= ## Other investigations on N3773J (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 MIA68D0070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0070), Jun 28, 1967: Cessna 150 (N3773J), Ft.Meyers, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203381. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20749244&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA249%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - 6120 Supplement (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20749254&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA249%20-%20FULL%20ENTRIES%20FOR%206120-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20973364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA249%20-%20PHOTOS-Rel.pdf - FAA on site observations (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20973834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20ON%20SITE%20OBSERVATIONS_Redacted-Rel.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.