# NTSB CHI90LA188: Cessna 150, N9873J, Moorhead, MN, July 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 19:50 local (Jul 16, 1990, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Moorhead, MN
- Coordinates: 46.860885, -96.750335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8609&lon=-96.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA188

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND FUEL SYSTEM MONITORING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS OF CRUISE FLIGHT, AS HE WAS DESCENDING FOR HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. TWO ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A GRAVEL ROAD APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES SOUTH-EAST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. THE PILOT CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, AND INVESTIGATORS FOUND ONLY UNUSEABLE FUEL IN THE FUAL TANKS. THE PILOT REPORTED 95 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9873J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9873J), registered now, S/N A1500682, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna A150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150m) (registry code 2071831) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1500682
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schonert, Keith W.
- Registered owner: Schonert, Keith W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: DLH, DULUTH, MN
- Destination: D54, WEST FARGO, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 87 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 9 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 19900715025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025949A), Jul 15, 1990: Cessna A150M, Moorhead, MN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel 10 miles from destination airport. Landed on gravel road and veered into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N9873J (1)

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 MIA78DLA44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DLA44), Jun 28, 1978: Cessna 150 (N9873J), Jacksonville, FL, minor 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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