# NTSB CHI91LA060: Cessna 150D, N4286U, Ft. Atkinson, WI, January 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1991, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Atkinson, WI
- Coordinates: 42.920291, -88.840789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9203&lon=-88.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA060

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AREA CONTAINING SCATTERED BRUSH AND TREES 0.25 MILES FROM END OF RUNWAY. AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES DURING FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN EITHER WING TANK OR CARBURETOR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TAKEOFF OF THE THIRD FLIGHT OF THE DAY IN THIS AIRCRAFT BY THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHO WAS GIVING THE OWNER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND, THEIR FIRST INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4286U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4286U-1991-04-05), registration cancelled 1991-04-05, S/N 15060286 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060286
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: William R. Gottschalk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,900 total, 4,300 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 24 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 19910106000219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910106000219A), Jan 6, 1991: Cessna 150D, Ft Atkinson, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on takeoff. Crash landed off end of runway in snow covered field.

## Other investigations on N4286U (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 UNK64X3689](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3689), Aug 30, 1964: Cessna 150 (N4286U), Festus, MO, 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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