# NTSB CHI00LA260: Cessna 150M, N304JF, Chapin, IL, August 17, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 2000, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Chapin, IL - Coordinates: 39.760177, -90.399169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7602&lon=-90.3992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50061/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA260 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft prior to the flight and exhaustion of the fuel supply. A factor to the accident was the embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that he 'Did engine run up and took off to the west. As soon as I started to climb the engine lost power. I [the pilot] put the nose down and the engine pickup power. As I started to nose up the engine lost power again.' The pilot subsequently attempted a forced landing and struck an embankment. The pilot's student pilot certificate and medical certificate had expired. The pilot listed no mechanical failure and described the failure as 'fuel starvation'. The pilot listed the fuel on board at takeoff as 3.0 gallons. The Cessna 150M owner's manual lists the total fuel capacity as 26.0 gallons, the usable fuel in all flight conditions as 22.5 gallons, and the unusable fuel as 3.5 gallons. A postaccident examination of the aircraft found that the right fuel tank had a trace of fuel, the left fuel tank had about 1/4 inch of fuel, and the firewall fuel filter was empty. No other anomalies were found that could be associated with a preexisting condition. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2000, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N304JF, piloted by a non-certificated pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power during initial climb from runway. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from the Williams Airpark, Chapin, Illinois, and was en route to the Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Jacksonville, Illinois. The pilot possessed an expired student pilot certificate and medical certificate issued on March 30, 1998. In a written report, the pilot said that he "Did engine run up and took off to the west. As soon as I started to climb the engine lost power. I put the nose down and the engine pickup power. As I started to nose up the engine lost power again." The pilot subsequently attempted a forced landing and struck an embankment. The pilot listed in his written report no mechanical failure and described the failure as "fuel starvation". The pilot also listed the fuel on board at takeoff as 3.0 gallons. The Cessna 150M owner's manual lists the total fuel capacity as 26.0 gallons, the usable fuel in all flight conditions as 22.5 gallons, and the unusable fuel as 3.5 gallons. A postaccident examination of the aircraft found that the right fuel tank had a trace of fuel, the left fuel tank had about 1/4 inch of fuel, and the firewall fuel filter was empty. No other anomalies were found that could be associated with a preexisting condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N304JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N304JF-2002-11-27), registration cancelled 2002-11-27, S/N 15078655, 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: 15078655 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeff L. Gain - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 30LL - Destination: IJX, JACKSONVILLE, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 167 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SPI, 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 20000817036309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000817036309A), Aug 17, 2000: Cessna 150M, Chapin, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 17, 2000 at approx. 1129 CDT the pilot in command, and sole occupant, departed williams rls (30LL) on a pleasure flight to jacksonville, IL… 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.