# NTSB ERA11CA217: Cessna 150F, N8830G, Hannawana Falls, NY, March 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2011, 12:46 local (16:46 UTC) - Place: Hannawana Falls, NY - Coordinates: 44.6175, -74.950553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6175&lon=-74.9506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78715/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78715 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he could not remember the exact date he last fueled his airplane, but recalled that it was completely fueled. He then flew about 2 hours uneventfully. The airplane was not refueled and he departed on the planned 1 hour 19 minute flight. The flight took longer than expected due to a headwind and he said that he deviated over some clouds. During a cruise descent to the destination airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power and he performed a forced landing to a road, about 4 miles south of the destination airport. During the landing, the left wing struck trees, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot added that the accident was due to 100 percent fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Cessna 150F stated that he could not remember the exact date he last fueled his airplane, but recalled that it was completely fueled. He then flew about 2 hours during two uneventful flights. The airplane was not refueled and the pilot departed on the planned 1 hour 19 minute accident flight. The flight took longer than expected due to a headwind and the pilot also deviated over some clouds. During a cruise descent to the destination airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a road, about 4 miles south of the destination airport. During the landing, the left wing struck trees, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot added that the accident was "100 percent fuel exhaustion." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8830G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8830G), registered now, S/N 15062930, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15062930 - Airframe hours: 3360 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: VGC, Hamilton, NY - Destination: PTD, Hannawana Falls, NY - Airport: PTD, Potsdam Municipal Airport, runway 06, 3,705 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 19 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: MSS, 20 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 20110326006799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110326006799A), Mar 26, 2011: Cessna 150F, Hannawa Falls, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot had started the trip with full fuel tanks. On the last leg (longest leg) of the trip, pilot encountered strong headwinds. Additionally, to maintain VFR,… ## Other investigations on N8830G (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC72FFA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FFA02), Jul 2, 1971: Cessna 150 (N8830G), Galway, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78715. 340 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF 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.