# NTSB CHI94LA298: Cessna 150, N6307S, Centralia, IL, August 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1994, 22:15 local (Aug 26, 1994, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Centralia, IL - Coordinates: 38.520294, -89.119712 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5203&lon=-89.1197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9654/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA298 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilots improper fuel calculation and improper use of fuel mixture. ## 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 - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause) - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - residence ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT WITH FULL FUEL TANKS (22.5 GALLONS USABLE). THE PILOT CLIMBED TO 6500 FEET MSL, AND SET 2350 RPM. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3.3 HOURS, IN A DESCENT TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A HOUSE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. POST CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED NO USABLE FUEL ON BOARD, AND NO EVIDENCE OF AN IN FLIGHT LEAK. THE PILOT STATED HE BELIEVED HE IMPROPERLY LEANED THE MIXTURE, RESULTING IN A HIGHER THAN FORECAST FUEL CONSUMPTION. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1994, at 2215 hours central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N6307S, operated by James Mineer of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, impacted a residence 1/4 mile short of the Centralia Municipal Airport, Centralia, Illinois, and was substantially damaged. The instrument rated commercial pilot received minor injuries and no fire occurred. No injuries occurred to persons on the ground. Night visual meteorological condition existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 and originated from the Big Sandy Regional Airport, Prestonburg, Kentucky, at 1900 hours central daylight time. The airplane was refueled with 16.1 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline and was described as "topped off" by servicing personnel at the Big Sandy Regional Airport the afternoon of August 25, 1994. Fuel capacity of the airplane was 26.0 gallons, of which 22.5 gallons is usable. The pilot reported that had climbed to 6,500 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL), and cruised at an engine power setting of 2,350 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). His Global Positioning System (GPS) indicated a ground speed of 92 to 94 knots. The Cessna 150 cruise performance chart in the Pilot Operating Handbook indicates an estimated fuel burn of 4.0 gallons per hour at these settings when the fuel mixture is leaned to maximum RPM. The pilot stated that he must have improperly leaned the mixture, resulting in a higher than expected fuel consumption rate. The pilot reported that the engine stopped while at 3,000 feet, 5 miles from the destination airport, he was unable to restart it and unsuccessfully attempted to glide to the airport. A witness on the ground, who was the chief instructor pilot for a flight school at the Centralia airport, reported hearing the impact but no engine sound. Post crash inspection revealed 1 1/2 gallons of fuel remaining in the wing tanks, 1 pint of fuel in the belly strainer, no visible contaminants, and the fuel selector valve in the "ON" position. No fuel leakage was evident at the accident site. No evidence of fuel venting or leakage was found, and the fuel vents were unobstructed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6307S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6307S-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 15067107, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067107 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James R. Mineer, doing business as Big Sandy Aviation - Registered owner: James R. Mineer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1994, 15 hours before - Departed: K22, PRESTONSBURG, KY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 870 total, 400 in this make and model, 765 as pilot in command, 290 in the last 90 days, 103 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: calm - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MVN, 15 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 19940825023309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940825023309A), Aug 25, 1994: Cessna 150G, Centralia, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit near destination tried glide to airport but struck a house short of runway. Misjudged fuel burn. ## Other investigations on N6307S (1) 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 MIA70D0234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0234), Nov 30, 1969: Cessna 150G (N6307S), Cookeville, TN, 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. --- 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.