# NTSB CHI91LA221: Cessna 150M, N714EC, Merrillville, IN, July 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1991, 19:30 local (Jul 22, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Merrillville, IN
- Coordinates: 41.469871, -87.319549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4699&lon=-87.3195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA221

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMANDS'S INATTENTIVENESS CONCERNING THE REFUELING OF HIS AIRPLANE, AND INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY, INATTENTIVE GROUND PERSONNEL, AND INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS CONCERNING REFUELING OF AIRPLANES ON THE PART OF OPERATOR MANAGEMENT PERFORMING REFUELING OPERATIONS.

## 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
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE SINGLE-ENGINE AIRPLANE HAD ARRIVED AT AN AIRSHOW.  HE PAID FOR REFUELING AND PROCEEDED TO OBSERVE THE AIRSHOW PERFORMANCE.  UPON RETURN TO HIS AIRPLANE THE PILOT PRE-FLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE, TAXIED OUT, DEPARTED FOR HIS HOME BASE.  WHEN APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES FROM HIS HOME BASE THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATION.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A SOFT SOILED BEAN FIELD AND NOSED OVER DURING ITS LANDING ROLL. AN ON SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS DEVOID OF FUEL.  THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL VISUALLY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N714EC), registered now, S/N 15079111, 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: 15079111
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Great Northern Aircraft Inc.
- Registered owner: Great Northern Aircraft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DAY, DAYTON, IN
- Destination: 05C, GRIFFITH, IN
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 90 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Observed at: GYY, 8 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 19910721028879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910721028879A), Jul 21, 1991: Cessna 150M, Merrillville, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Nosed over on forced landing. Had ordered fuel but failed to ascertain fuel was delivered

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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