# NTSB CHI86LA053: Cessna 150, N8687S, Glidden, WI, December 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1985, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Glidden, WI
- Coordinates: 46.130367, -90.569961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1304&lon=-90.5700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA053

## 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
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES WHILE ATTEMPTING A POWER OFF LANDING AFTER ENGINE STOPPAGE. THE FUEL TANKS WERE INSPECTED AND THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANKS AND ONLY A SMALL QUANTITY IN THE LFT TANK. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS WERE INSPECTED WITH THE WINGS IN A LEVEL POSITION AND THE FUEL TANKS EMPTY. EACH INDICATOR NEELE WAS IN OR BELOW THE EMPTY RED RADIAL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD CHECKED HIS FUEL GAUGES TEN MILES BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. WHEN INTERVIEWED, THE PILOT STATED THAT 'IN MY CAR I CAN DRIVE ON EMPTY FOR A WHILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8687S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8687S-1989-05-02), registration cancelled 1989-05-02, S/N 15061987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: N8678S
- Airframe hours: 3364
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lake Geneva Air Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1985
- Departed: CO2, LAKE GENEVA, WI
- Destination: ASX, ASHLAND, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 31 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19851228066309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851228066309A), Dec 28, 1985: Cessna 150F, Glidden, WI, Substantial damage. Relying on fuel gauges only for fuel quantity resulted in fuel exhaustion. Hit power lines and ground on landing.

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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