# NTSB CHI92LA058: Cessna 150, N60040, Charlestown, IN, December 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1991, 19:18 local (Dec 13, 1991, 00:18 UTC)
- Place: Charlestown, IN
- Coordinates: 38.449874, -85.660842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4499&lon=-85.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA058

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY AN AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - inoperative
  - maintenance - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE.  ALSO, THE RIGHT WING FUEL TRANSMITTER WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE FUEL USAGE IN THE PAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60040](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60040), registered now, S/N 15070026, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070026
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Business Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Business Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1991
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: RNA, NASHVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 20 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 19911212059049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911212059049A), Dec 12, 1991: Cessna 150J, Charlestown, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route,short of normal fuel range. Possible siphoning. Fuel gauge inop right side. Stuck valve.

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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