# NTSB CHI90LA030: Cessna 150M, N66714, Detroit, MI, November 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1989, 12:42 local (17:42 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.390983, -83.050712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3910&lon=-83.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA030

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

AFTER A SHORT LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. HE REPORTED, THE AIRCRAFT HAD ABOUT 6.5 GALLONS OF FUEL WHEN HE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT. ONLY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS FOUND ON BOARD THE ACFT. THE PUBLISHED UNUSABLE FUEL FOR THE AIRCRAFT 1.75 GALLONS PER WING TANK, OR 3.5 GALLONS TOTAL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF POST-IMPACT FUEL LEAKAGE/SPILLAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66714](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66714-1995-12-20), registration cancelled 1995-12-20, S/N 15076228 (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: 15076228
- Airframe hours: 4150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Trainers Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 177 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °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 19891119057569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891119057569A), Nov 19, 1989: Cessna 150M, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Landed short of runway. No usable fuel on board.

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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