# NTSB FTW00LA034: Cessna 150M, N63077, Carrolton, TX, November 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 18, 1999, 18:50 local (Nov 19, 1999, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Carrolton, TX - Coordinates: 33.050464, -96.870994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0505&lon=-96.8710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47818/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to refuel, which resulted in 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After 3.4 hours of flight, at 2,000 feet, approximately 1.5 miles from the approach end of the runway, the Cessna 150's engine 'sputtered and quit.' The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. During the ensuing night forced landing to a field, the airplane's right wing struck a tree. The pilot reported that he had estimated the 246 nautical mile flight would take 3 hours, and use 16.5 gallons of fuel. The pilot further reported that the fuel on board at takeoff was 22.5 gallons. Examination by an FAA inspector revealed that 'both fuel tanks had less than two gallons of fuel on board.' According to the Pilot Operator Handbook, the total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, with a total capacity of 13 gallons for each tank. The total usable fuel was 22.5 gallons. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 1999, at 1850 central standard time, a Cessna 150M airplane, N63077, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Carrolton, Texas. The aircraft was owned by a private individual and operated by Henley's Aircraft Service, inc., of Dallas, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The cross-country flight originated from Woodward, Oklahoma, at 1525, with the Addison Airport, Addison, Texas, as its destination. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that his en route altitude was 5,500 feet msl, and he thought the winds aloft were 10-12 knots. After 3.4 hours into the flight, while descending through 2,000 feet, approximately 1.5 miles from the approach end of runway 15, the airplane's engine "sputtered and quit." Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. During the ensuing forced landing to a field, the airplane's right wing struck a tree. The airplane came to a stop nose down in a ditch. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he had estimated the 246 nautical mile flight would take 3 hours, and use 16.5 gallons of fuel. The pilot stated he used the Cessna 150 Pilot Operator Handbook's (POH) performance charts and determined the fuel consumption would be 5.3 gallons per hour. The fuel consumption was based on his planned altitude of 5,500 feet and power setting of 2,600 rpm. The pilot further reported that the fuel on board at takeoff was 22.5 gallons. Examination of the aircraft wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the right wing's rear spar was fractured. The fuselage was buckled aft of the rear window, and the right elevator was damaged. The inspector further reported that, "with the tail of the aircraft sticking up," he observed that "both fuel tanks had less than two gallons of fuel on board." The position of the aircraft had forced all of the fuel to the leading edges, which allowed him to "clearly see all the fuel." According to the POH, the total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, with a total capacity of 13 gallons for each tank. The total usable fuel was 22.5 gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63077](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63077-2002-07-27), registration cancelled 2002-07-27, S/N 15077085, built 1975 (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: 15077085 - Airframe hours: 10407 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Henley'S Aircraft Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 1999, 37 hours before - Departed: WWR, WOODWARD, OK - Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX - Airport: ADS, Addison, runway 15, 7,202 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 407 total, 95 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19991118043669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991118043669A), Nov 18, 1999: Cessna 150M, Dallas, TX, No damage. (-23)Inspector's statement: I received a phone call at 8:30 pm on 11/18/99 that a Cessna 150, N63077, had landed short of the Addison ariport. Upon arrival at… 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.