# NTSB ERA19LA095: Cessna 150, N6789F, Knotts Island, NC, February 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 2, 2019, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Knotts Island, NC - Coordinates: 36.560001, -75.919998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5600&lon=-75.9200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98941 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98941/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98941 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA095 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's improper fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [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-cruise: 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) - [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 was performing a post-maintenance test flight. The mechanic who conducted the maintenance reported that the pilot performed about 30 minutes of ground testing before departure. The pilot then remained in the airport traffic pattern and conducted several landings before departing the area to conduct maneuvers for about 30 minutes. The pilot reported that, following the maneuvers, the airplane had a complete electrical failure, and, shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power. He performed a forced landing into a marsh, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. About 1 cup of fuel was drained from the fuel system. Both wing fuel tanks were empty of fuel, and there were no signs of fuel leakage. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The reason for the reported electrical failure was not determined; however, given the available information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On February 2, 2019, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150F, N6789F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Knotts Island, North Carolina. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was performing a post-maintenance test flight. Before departure, the pilot reviewed the logbooks and conducted a pre-flight inspection. He said that the airplane had about 22 gallons of usable fuel on board before takeoff. After departure, the pilot remained in the airport traffic pattern and conducted several landings, then departed the traffic pattern and flew 10 miles to the south, where he conducted maneuvers. After about 30 minutes of flight maneuvers, he turned east toward the Outer Banks Barrier Islands. While en route, the pilot stated that he experienced the instruments “turning off and on.” He made a turn back toward the departure airport, and shortly after, the electrical system failed followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, and conducted a forced landing in a marsh. The pilot exited the airplane and contacted the local authorities. According to the operator, the pilot was advised to remain in the traffic pattern of the local airport, considering how much maintenance was recently performed. The mechanic who performed the maintenance watched as the pilot performed 30 minutes of engine runs, taxiing, and operational tests on the ground prior to the test flight. The pilot made a series of touch-and-go landings, short field landings, and low passes before departing the traffic pattern. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted with the nose landing gear partially detached from the engine mount. The airplane was recovered, and flight control continuity was established. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. About 1 cup of fuel was drained from the fuel system. The fuel was “yellowish” in color and absent of any visible contamination. The fuel selector was found in the ON position. Both fuel caps were inspected, and the fuel cap gaskets were intact. Both wing fuel tanks were empty of fuel, and there were no signs of fuel leakage on the airframe or at the accident site. A review of the fueling records revealed that the airplane was fueled with 15.8 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel earlier on the day of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6789F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6789F-2019-10-11), registration cancelled 2019-10-11, S/N 15063389, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (F) - 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: 15063389 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3836.91 - Engines: Continental O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2019, 2 hours before - Departed: SFQ, Suffolk, VA - Destination: SFQ, Suffolk, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 730 total, 21 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KSFQ, 34 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 20190202009399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190202009399A), Feb 2, 2019: Cessna 150F, Knots Island, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot stated while flying between Knots Island NC and the outer banks NC, the aircraft experienced a total electrical failure. Shortly thereafter the… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98941. 15.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 15.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9535926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20REPORT%20pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9536245&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20telephone%20interview%20Robert%20Hill%20(FAA)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9536546&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20witness%20statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9536400&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspectors%20Statement%20Kenneth%20L%20Bain%20Richmond%20FSDO-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9535877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20excerpts%20LA095_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fueling records (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9535935&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20record%20N6789F-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9536555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA095-Rel.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.