# NTSB FTW00LA054: Cessna 150H, N7290S, Sinton, TX, December 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 1999, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Sinton, TX - Coordinates: 28.030658, -97.500633 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0307&lon=-97.5006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48415/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, 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, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the pre-flight inspection, the pilot visually noted each wing fuel tank was 1/2 full and the fuel quantity gauges indicated 3/4 full. The pilot flew to an airport 27 nautical miles away, and performed one touch-and-go landing. During the return flight, the pilot observed that the right fuel tank quantity gauge indicated 1/4 full and the left fuel tank quantity gauge indicated 3/4 full. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a touch-and-go landing on runway 32, and during the takeoff, climbing through 300 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing, and attempted a 180 degree turn toward the airport. Subsequently, the airplane touched down, went over a gravel road and stopped in a ditch, 750 feet short of the approach end of runway 14. The operator drained the remaining fuel out of both fuel tank sump drains, for a total of 1 3/4 gallons of fuel. The unusable fuel quantity of this make and model airplane is 3.5 gallons. ## Factual narrative On December 27, 1999, at 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 150H, N7290S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Sinton, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Sky Park Aviation, Inc., of Sinton, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed from the San Patricio County Airport, Sinton, Texas, at 1610. According to the 141-hour pilot, during the pre-flight inspection, he visually noted each wing fuel tank was 1/2 full and the fuel quantity gauges indicated 3/4 full. The pilot departed San Patricio County Airport and flew to Aransas County Airport, Rockport, Texas, 27 nautical miles away, and performed one touch-and-go landing. During the return flight to Sinton, the pilot observed that the right fuel tank quantity gauge indicated 1/4 full and the left fuel tank quantity gauge indicated 3/4 full. At San Patricio County Airport, the pilot performed a touch-and-go landing on runway 32, and during the takeoff, climbing through 300 feet agl., the engine lost power The pilot initiated a forced landing, and attempted a 180 degree turn toward the airport. Subsequently, the airplane touched down, went over a gravel road and stopped in a ditch, 750 feet short of the approach end of runway 14. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the right wing spar was structurally damaged, the fuselage was "split," and the nose gear was collapsed. The operator drained the remaining fuel out of both fuel tank sump drains, for a total of 1 3/4 gallons of fuel. The airplane's total fuel tank capacity is 26 gallons, the useable fuel quantity is 22.5 gallons, and the unusable fuel quantity is 3.5 gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7290S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7290S-2001-10-12), registration cancelled 2001-10-12, S/N 15067990, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150H - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067990 - Airframe hours: 4202 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Park Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Robert Robinson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1999, 38 hours before - Departed: T69 - Destination: T69 - Airport: T69, San Patricio County, runway 14, 4,323 × 55 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 141 total, 4 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CRP, 15 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 19991227036409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991227036409A), Dec 27, 1999: Cessna 150H, Sinton, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 27, 1999, at 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 150H, N7290S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine… 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.