# NTSB DEN87LA246: Cessna 150K, N2554Q, Aurora, CO, September 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1987, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.739906, -104.780349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7399&lon=-104.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA246

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight/navigation instrument(s) - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS FLYING A LONG CROSS COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE BECAME DISORIENTED AT THE FIRST CHECK POINT AND FOLLOWED HIGHWAYS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FOUR HOUR FLIGHT. THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A WEED FILLED FIELD. DURING ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO USEABLE FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2554Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2554Q-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 15071500 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Militair, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986
- Departed: 00V, COLORADO SPRGS, CO
- Destination: 00V
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 70 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °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 19870928059489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870928059489A), Sep 28, 1987: Cessna 150K, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Became lost on a crosscountry training flight. Ran out of fuel. Struck a ditch and nosed over landing in a field.

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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