# NTSB CHI84LA032: Cessna 150, N23183, La Crosse, WI, October 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1983, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: La Crosse, WI
- Coordinates: 43.820659, -91.230987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8207&lon=-91.2310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA032

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN LAKE ONALASKA AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF DESTINATION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT WAS PULLED FROM THE LAKE AND EXAMINED. THE 3 FAA INSPECTORS WHO EXAMINED THE ACFT VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH FUEL IN THE ACFT TO OPERATE THE ENGINE. ALSO THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE PILOT SAID HE SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIED SO MUCH ON THE FUEL GAUGES AND A NEWLY OVERHAULED ENGINE HAS AN UNKNOWN RATE OF FUEL CONSUMPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23183](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23183-1993-01-04), registration cancelled 1993-01-04, S/N 15068777 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068777
- Airframe hours: 3506
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Allen Deweese
- Registered owner: Columbia Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: MSN, MADISON, WI
- Destination: LSE, LA CROSSE, WI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 15 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831030057269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831030057269A), Oct 30, 1983: Cessna 150H, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final. Ditched in a lake just short of the runway.

## Other investigations on N23183 (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 NYC70D0238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0238), Dec 28, 1969: Cessna 150H (N23183), Zelienople, PA, substantial damage

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.

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