# NTSB CHI89LA133: Cessna 150, N4054J, Iola, WI, July 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Iola, WI
- Location: 44.5097° N, 89.1172° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Iola, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5097&lon=-89.1172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA133

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE FUEL QUANTITY BEING NEAR THE UNUSABLE QUANTITY WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION WHILE MANEUVERING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS MISJUDGED APPROACH DURING A FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4054J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4054J-1992-01-30), registration cancelled 1992-01-30, S/N 15065354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15065354
- Airframe hours: 4584
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Niven, David A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: 68C, IOLA, WI
- Destination: 68C, IOLA, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,470 total, 268 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CWA, 31 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 19890712025539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890712025539A), Jul 12, 1989: Cessna 150G, Iola, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local flight. Overshot emergency landing field and hit trees.

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.