# NTSB CHI88LA219: Cessna 150M, N9234U, Elkhart, IN, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Location: 41.6952° N, 85.9554° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elkhart, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6952&lon=-85.9554&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA219

## 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 (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE ON THE SECOND LEG OF A SOLO STUDENT CROSS COUNTRY, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE STUDENT PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN AMOUNT APPROXIMATELY EQUIVALENT TO THE UNUSEABLE FUEL FOR THE AIRCRAFT DRIPPING FROM THE FUEL TANKS AND ABOUT 1 CUP OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9234U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9234U-1993-11-09), registration cancelled 1993-11-09, S/N 15078184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15278184
- Airframe hours: 242
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Max Belin, doing business as Aaa Flight & Service School
- Registered owner: Max Belin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1988, 27 hours before
- Departed: DNV, DANVILLE, IL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 33 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 14 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 19880821034619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034619A), Aug 21, 1988: Cessna 150M, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. Student allowed aircraft to run out of fuel on solo crosscountry. Aircraft nosed over landing in a bean field.

## Other investigations on N9234U (2)

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 CHI92LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA284), Sep 20, 1992: Cessna 150M (N9234U), Joplin, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION ALONG WITH THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT ENCOUNTERED.
- [NTSB MIA77DKJ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DKJ40), May 29, 1977: Cessna 150 (N9234U), Tuscaloosa, AL, 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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