CHI01LA053

The pilot said that he departed Kimball, South Dakota, with 17 gallons of fuel, which he said he "physically checked". The pilot said he flew 2.5 hours en route toward Spearfish, South Dakota, with a slight right quartering headwind. He said, "Expended all fuel 2.5 hrs (hours) into [the] flight, made [an] emergency lndg (landing) in a plowed field. Approximately 2-1/2 gallons of fuel was recovered from the airplane's fuel tanks. No other anomalies were found. The Cessna 150M Pilot's Operating Handbook states that the airplane's fuel capacity with standard tanks is 26 gallons. The total usable fuel is 22.5 gallons.

On December 25, 2000, at 1750 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N63067, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during a forced landing, it impacted the terrain 15 miles northeast of New Underwood, South Dakota. Prior to the forced landing, the airplane's engine lost power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Kimball, South Dakota, at 1610 central standard time, and was en route to Spearfish, South Dakota.

In his written statement, the pilot said that he departed Kimball, South Dakota, with 17 gallons of fuel, which he said he "physically checked". The pilot said he flew 2.5 hours en route with a slight right quartering headwind. He said, "Expended all fuel 2.5 hrs (hours) into [the] flight, made [an] emergency lndg (landing) in a plowed field."

An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was resting upright in a cultivated field. A ground scar preceded the airplane by approximately 50 feet. It was oriented on a southeasterly heading. The airplane was oriented on a northeasterly heading. Both of the airplane's outboard wings were bent upward. The left wing tip was crushed aft. The tops of both wings were buckled. The nose gear was broken aft. The bottom cowling was crushed upward and aft. The right main landing gear was bent aft. Both propeller blades were bent aft. Approximately 2-1/2 gallons of fuel was recovered from the airplane's fuel tanks. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

The Cessna 150M Pilot's Operating Handbook states that the airplane's fuel capacity with standard tanks is 26 gallons. The total usable fuel is 22.5 gallons.