# NTSB CHI91LA063: Cessna 150L, N6803G, Bemidji, MN, January 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1991, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bemidji, MN
- Coordinates: 47.480075, -94.869262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4801&lon=-94.8693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

A SOLO PRIVATE PILOT RENTED AN AIRPLANE AND WAS INFORMED IT HAD FLOWN SINCE ITS LAST REFUELING.  HE DETERMINED THE FUEL AVAILABLE FOR THE FLIGHT BY READING THE FUEL GAUGES.  HE STATES THE GUAGES WERE OFF AND READ ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED.  HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A FROZEN LAKE WHERE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN 12 INCHES OF SNOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6803G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6803G-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 15072303, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072303
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Durst Aircraft, Inc., doing business as Portage Air
- Registered owner: Durst Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ELO, ELY, MN
- Destination: BJI, BEMIDJI, MN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 5 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJT, 17 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 19910104000329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910104000329A), Jan 4, 1991: Cessna 150L, Bemidji, MN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed on snow covered lake and nosed over.

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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