# NTSB DEN90LA129: Cessna 150J, N50788, Las Cruces, NM, June 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1990, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 32.22005, -106.990905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2201&lon=-106.9909&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 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA129

## Probable cause

THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS. FACTORS WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL AND THE HIGH VEGETATION IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF AND FLEW FOR 50 MINUTES ON WHAT SHE ESTIMATED WAS 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO THE AIRPORT, SHE REPORTED THE ENGINE QUIT. SHE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN WITH BRUSH AND SHORT MESQUITE BUSHES. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE PLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BOTH WING FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50788](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50788-1997-08-21), registration cancelled 1997-08-21, S/N 15069554 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069554
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: West Mesa Flying Assoc. Inc.
- Destination: LRW
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900608019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900608019499A), Jun 8, 1990: Cessna 150J, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Departed with near empty fuel on local training flight. Ran out of fuel. Nosed over landing.

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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