# NTSB DFW05LA023: Cessna 150M, N704KX, Longview, TX, November 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2004, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Longview, TX - Coordinates: 32.389446, -94.774169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3894&lon=-94.7742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper inflight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The 93-hour private pilot contacted approach control, at the East Texas Regional The 93-hour private pilot contacted approach control, at the East Texas Regional Airport (GGG), with the intention of landing. After being handed over to the control tower and while approximately four miles west of the airport, the engine experienced an un-commanded reduction of power from 2,500 revolutions per minute (RPM) to approximately 1,000 RPM. The pilot tried moving the throttle to different positions, but was unable to change the RPM. Reporting the engine problem to the control tower, the pilot was cleared to land "any runway and any direction." Unable to make the airport, the pilot elected to land in a field. At approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a momentary burst of power and then returned to approximately 1,000 rpm. Committed to land, the pilot turned off the engine ignition switch and directed the airplane between two trees in an attempt to reach a suitable landing field. While maneuvering through the trees, the outer right wing contacted a tree and shortly thereafter the airplane settled to the ground, coming to rest in an upright position. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, both fuel tanks were intact and contained residual fuel. Approximately one inch of fuel was sumped from each fuel tank and there was no evidence of any fuel spill or leaks at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2004, approximately 0945 central standard time, a Cessna 150M single-engine airplane, N704KX, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while descending near Longview, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Stebbins Aviation Incorporated, Longview, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the East Texas Regional Airport (GGG), near Longview, Texas, approximately 45 minutes earlier. According to the 93-hour pilot, before departing from the East Texas Regional Airport, he performed a preflight inspection. During the inspection, the pilot visually inspected the two fuel tanks and observed that there was fuel present, but wasn't exactly sure of the amount. Estimating that there was enough fuel for a short sight seeing trip, they departed and flew over Tyler, Texas. The pilot reported that after over-flying the passenger's house they returned to Longview, Texas, and contacted approach control, at the East Texas Regional Airport, with the intention of landing. After being handed over to the control tower and while approximately four miles west of the airport, the engine experienced an un-commanded reduction of power from 2,500 revolutions per minute (RPM) to approximately 1,000 RPM. The pilot tried moving the throttle to different positions, but was unable to change the RPM. Reporting the engine problem to the control tower the pilot was cleared to land "any runway and any direction." The pilot further reported that he couldn't make the airport and elected to land in a field. At approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a momentary burst of power and then returned to approximately 1,000 rpm. Committed to land, the pilot turned off the engine ignition switch and directed the airplane between two trees in an attempt to reach a suitable landing field. While maneuvering through the trees, the outer right wing contacted a tree and shortly thereafter the airplane settled to the ground, coming to rest in an upright position. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, both fuel tanks were intact and contained residual fuel. Approximately one inch of fuel was sumped from each fuel tank and there was no evidence of any fuel spill or leaks at the accident site. The inspector further reported that the right wing sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704KX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N704KX), registered now, S/N 15078682, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078682 - Airframe hours: 9986 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stebbins Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 2004, 53 hours before - Departed: GGG, Longview, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 25 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: GGG, 4 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 20041106030219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041106030219A), Nov 6, 2004: Cessna 150M, Longview, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) N704KX departed east Texas regional airport without enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and assuming normal cruising speed to fly… 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.