# NTSB CHI98LA138: Cessna 150H, N6977S, Benton, KS, May 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1998, 21:30 local (May 3, 1998, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Benton, KS - Coordinates: 37.780025, -97.099975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7800&lon=-97.1000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA138 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to assure an adequate fuel supply to complete the flight by refueling the airplane en route resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the hedgerow which was contacted during the landing and the dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - light condition - dark night - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot was on a cross country flight from Austin, Texas, to Benton, Kansas. After 5 hours and 45 minutes of flight the engine lost power. The pilot selected an open field in which to make a forced landing. The airplane contacted a hedgerow during touchdown. Post accident inspection revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank contained 7/8 of a gallon of fuel. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1998, at 2130 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N6977S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field in Augusta, Kansas, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed from the Executive Airpark Airport, Austin, Texas, at 1545 cdt, with a planned destination of Benton, Kansas. The pilot reported that he had the airplane refueled prior to departing from Austin. The airplane holds 39 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that when nearing Augusta, Kansas, the fuel gauges were indicating that the left tank was empty and the right tank was 1/8 full. He stated that he had his destination airport in site and was descended through 5,000 feet when the "...engine stopped running." The pilot stated that he circled a private airstrip which was on his sectional chart, but decided not to land there because of the darkness and nearby houses. He stated that he instead decided to land in an open field near the airstrip. The pilot stated that as he approached touchdown the airplane contacted a hedgerow appeared in the landing lights "...causing the damage in what would have otherwise been an uneventful landing." Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank contained 7/8 of a gallon of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6977S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6977S-2005-07-11), registration cancelled 2005-07-11, S/N 15067677, built 1967 (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: 15067677 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rudy Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1997 - Departed: 3R3, AUSTIN, TX - Destination: 1K1 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 44 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ICT, 21 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 19980502008339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980502008339A), May 2, 1998: Cessna 150H, Benton, KS, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot was on a cross country flight from austin, Texas, to Benton, Kansas. After 5 hours and 45 minutes of flight the engine lost power. The pilot… 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.