# NTSB CHI93LA356: Cessna 150H, N23205, Crescent, IA, September 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1993, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Crescent, IA
- Coordinates: 41.360336, -95.849678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3603&lon=-95.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA356
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA356

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AFTER ENCOUNTERING UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND A LOW FUEL LEVEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM WATERLOO, IOWA, TO OMAHA, NEBRASKA, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRONGER WINDS THAN HE HAD USED IN HIS FLIGHT PLANNING.  WHEN HE ENTERED THE OMAHA ARSA, HE COMMUNICATED CONCERN ABOUT HIS FUEL SITUATION TO APPROACH CONTROL, BUT DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.  APPROACH CONTROL ADVISED THE PILOT OF A CLOSER FIELD TO USE AS AN ALTERNATE.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLIGHT TO HIS INTENDED DESTINATION.  LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED FIVE MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1993, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna C-150H, N23205, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power in cruise flight near Crescent, Iowa.  The private pilot and the single passenger aboard the airplane were not injured.  The personal flight originated at Waterloo, Iowa, at 0800 with an intended destination of Omaha, Nebraska.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported he encountered stronger winds than he had used in his flight planning.  He stated he communicated to approach control that he was concerned about his fuel situation when he reached the Omaha Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA).  He did not declare an emergency.  Omaha Approach Control advised the pilot of another airport available, but he elected to continue to his destination.  The pilot stated, "five miles out, my airplane started sputtering and I ran out of fuel."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23205](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23205), registered now, S/N 15068790, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068790
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry J. Maxfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1993, 2 hours before
- Departed: ALO, WATERLOO, IA
- Destination: OMA, OMAHA, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 32 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 5 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 19930911033809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930911033809A), Sep 11, 1993: Cessna 150H, Crescent, IA, Substantial damage. Strong headwind low on fuel. Advised ATC but failed declare emergency. Ran out of fuel five miles short airport.

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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