# NTSB CHI94LA269: Cessna 150F, N7760F, East Tawas, MI, August 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1994, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: East Tawas, MI
- Coordinates: 44.279033, -83.479362 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2790&lon=-83.4794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA269

## Probable cause

inadequate prelight planning/preparation by the pilot and the subsequent inadequate fuel supply.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LOST ALL ENGINE POWER IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP.  THE SOLO PRIVATE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON AN ADJACENT FARM FIELD.  THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO A LOCAL AIRPORT TO HAVE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION PERFORMED ON HIS AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT REPORTED HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH 1/8 OF A TANK OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN EACH WING TANK.  THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH TWO 26 GALLON FUEL TANKS, EACH WITH AN UNUSABLE FUEL AMOUNT OF 3.5 GALLONS.

## Factual narrative

On August 6, 1994, about 1845 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N7760F, experienced a loss of engine power immediately after taking off from a private airstrip in East Tawas, Michigan. The solo private pilot made a forced landing on an adjacent field.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot received serious injuries.  The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91 without flight plan.

The pilot was en route to Iosco County Airport, East Tawas, Michigan, to have an annual inspection performed on the airplane. In a statement made to the FAA, the pilot reported he attempted to takeoff with 1/8 of a tank of automotive fuel in each wing.  The pilot also stated that he has experienced this same type of incident in the past when he had attempted to takeoff with low fuel.

A postaccident examination was performed.  The airplane was equipped with two 26 gallons fuel tanks.  The attached Fuel Quantity Data Chart from the Cessna Owner's Manual for this airplane, indicates the amount of unusable fuel in each tank is 3.50 gallons.  Calculating the amount of fuel aboard the airplane prior to takeoff, using the pilot's estimate, the airplane had 3.25 gallons in each tank.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7760F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7760F-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 15063860, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15063860
- Airframe hours: 1930
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Mioduch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990, 1,788 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 18, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,276 total, 1,166 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19940806020599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940806020599A), Aug 6, 1994: Cessna 150F, East Tawan, MI, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff. Aircraft out of annual many years. ADS not complied. No STC for auto fuel.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.