# NTSB CHI92LA284: Cessna 150M, N9234U, Joplin, MO, September 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1992, 13:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place: Joplin, MO
- Coordinates: 37.08007, -94.499198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0801&lon=-94.4992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA284

## Probable cause

POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION ALONG WITH THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED FOR THE 30 MINUTE FLIGHT WITH 8 GALLONS OF FUEL.  ON SHORT FINAL AT HIS DESTINATION, A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A DOWNDRAFT FORCED THE AIRPLANE INTO TREES WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT TO THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EVACUATED THE AIRPLANE AFTER WHICH TIME IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED 2 3/4 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE AIRPLANE.  UNUSABLE FUEL LOAD FOR THE AIRPLANE IS 3 1/2 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9234U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9234U-1993-11-09), registration cancelled 1993-11-09, S/N 15078184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078184
- Airframe hours: 3392
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: D&A Vsaviation
- Registered owner: Skyline Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1992, 84 hours before
- Departed: SHANGRA-LA, OK
- Airport: JLN, Joplin Regional, runway 18, 5,003 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 64 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JLN, 1 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 19920920037609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920920037609A), Sep 20, 1992: Cessna 150M, Joplin, MO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on short final. Downdraft forced aircraft into trees short of runway. No useable fuel on board.

## Other investigations on N9234U (2)

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 CHI88LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA219), Aug 21, 1988: Cessna 150M (N9234U), Elkhart, IN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA77DKJ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DKJ40), May 29, 1977: Cessna 150 (N9234U), Tuscaloosa, AL, 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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