# NTSB DEN89LA223: Cessna 150L, N6633G, Carlsbad, NM, September 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1989, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, NM
- Coordinates: 32.400424, -104.229843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4004&lon=-104.2298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA223

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED AMARILLO, TX, WITH WHAT HE ESTIMATED AS 15 GALLONS OF FUEL, FOR A FINAL DESTINATION OF MARFA, TX. HE LANDED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REFUEL, AT BOTH MORTON, TX AND LOVINGTON, NM. HE SAID 'THEN I FIGURED THE DISTANCE TO CARLSBAD, NM, AND DECIDED I COULD MAKE IT....' THE PILOT SAID THAT 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF CARLSBAD, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE STRUCK TREES, DEPARTED THE ROAD, AND ENTERED A DITCH. A POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN GASCOLATOR, FUEL PUMP OR CARBURETOR, AND ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE WING TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6633G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6633G-2009-10-08), registration cancelled 2009-10-08, S/N 15072133, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072133
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stell, Dennis K.
- Registered owner: Dennis Stell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: E06, LOVINGTON, NM
- Destination: CNM, CARLSBAD, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 71 total, 71 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNM, 7 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 19890923036049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890923036049A), Sep 23, 1989: Cessna 150L, Carlsbad, NM, Substantial damage. Failed to refuel at two en route landings on ferry flight, then ran out of fuel near destination. Crashed on a road

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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