# NTSB CHI90LA046: Cessna 150M, N704NP, Lacrosse, WI, December 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1989, 14:32 local (20:32 UTC)
- Place: Lacrosse, WI
- Coordinates: 43.820198, -91.229095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8202&lon=-91.2291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA046

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE A PLAN TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT AS NECESSARY. THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ACCIDENT, AS DID THE CFI'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER INITIATING HIS DESCENT TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, AND THEN QUIT. THE STUDENT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND TREES DURING ITS EMERGENCY DESCENT. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF USEABLE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FUEL SPILLAGE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE DEPARTING ON THIS, THE SECOND LEG OF HIS SOLO CROSS COUNTRY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704NP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704NP-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N 15078745, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078745
- Airframe hours: 8804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Valley Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Valley Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 29, 1989, 29 hours before
- Departed: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Destination: LSE, LACROSSE, WI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 51 total, 33 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 5 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LSE, 2 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 19891218051699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891218051699A), Dec 18, 1989: Cessna 150M, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near airport on solo crosscountry and struck powerline 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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