# NTSB CHI97LA088: Cessna 150J, N5526G, La Valle, WI, March 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1997, 20:00 local (Mar 20, 1997, 02:00 UTC) - Place: La Valle, WI - Coordinates: 43.580547, -90.13079 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5805&lon=-90.1308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10531 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10531/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA088 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow covered terrain. ## 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 - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis En route to final destination the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a flat farm field that was snow covered. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and caused substantial damage to the airplane. Postcrash investigation showed no usable fuel in system. After one and one half gallons of Avgas were added to tanks, the engine started and ran uneventful. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1997, at 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5526G, sustained substantial damage during a night forced landing, near La Valle, Wisconsin, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed East Troy, Wisconsin at 1900 with the intended destination of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. In a written statement the pilot reported, "approximately 18 miles on the 280-degree radial from Dells VOR engine missed, pulled carb. heat and checked throttle and mixture, engine power lost with propeller windmilling." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a "flat farm field." After touchdown the pilot reported, "main gear touchdown, aircraft speed slowed rapidly, nose dropped & caught in snow flipping aircraft over on wings and tail." Postcrash investigation, done by a Federal Aviation Administration Investigator, reported substantial damage in the wings and tail from aircraft nosing over on rollout. The fuel gascolater and low point sump drains were checked and fuel was found. After numerous attempts, the engine would not start. One and one half gallons of Avgas were added to the tanks, and then the engine started and ran. Further inspection of the aircraft indicated no abnormalities. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5526G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5526G-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 15071026, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - 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: 15071026 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rolling Thunder Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1996, 21 hours before - Departed: 57C, EAST TROY, WI - Destination: HBW, HILLSBORO, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 185 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KDL, 18 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 19970319003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970319003359A), Mar 19, 1997: Cessna 150J, Lavelle, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine quit and made an emergency landing and flipped over. (.4)en route to final destination the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot conducted… 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.