# NTSB FTW04CA122: Cessna 150E, N3050J, Goldthwaite, TX, May 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2004, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC) - Place: Goldthwaite, TX - Coordinates: 31.338888, -98.609443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3389&lon=-98.6094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision not to refuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - exhaustion - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The single-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The private pilot reported that the engine lost power while in cruise flight. The pilot elected to land the airplane in a pasture. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a tree with the left wing, spun around, and collided into a fence. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left fuel tank contained 1/2 gallon of fuel, and the right fuel tank was found empty. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he had flown the airplane about 4.3 hours since the last refueling. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 2004, approximately 0100 central daylight time, a Cessna 150E single-engine airplane, N3050J, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Goldthwaite, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 74-nautical miles cross-country flight originated from the Coleman Municipal Airport (COM), Coleman, Texas, about midnight, and was destined for the Llano Municipal Airport (6R9), Llano, Texas. Despite attempts by the Investigator-In-Charge to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), a form was not obtained. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the engine lost power while in cruise flight. The pilot elected to land the airplane in a pasture. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a tree with the left wing, spun around, and collided into a fence. Examination of the wreckage by a FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the right wing, the tail was bent 90 degrees, and the left wing and fuselage were destroyed. The left fuel tank contained 1/2-gallon of fuel, and the right fuel tank was found empty. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he had flown the airplane about 4.3 hours since the last refueling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3050J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3050J-2004-10-12), registration cancelled 2004-10-12, S/N 15061150, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150E - Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061150 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald H. Lane - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: COM, Coleman, TX - Destination: 6R9, Llano, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 6R9, Llano Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 88 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: BMQ, 41 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 20040503009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040503009669A), May 3, 2004: Cessna 150E, Goldthwaite, TX, Destroyed. (-23) N3050J got gas at llano, TX, municipal airport and flew to burnet and then to colman for touch and go's. on the return to llano, TX, the engine quit and… ## Other investigations on N3050J (2) 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 OAK68D0044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68D0044), Jun 23, 1967: Cessna 150 (N3050J), San Jose, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK67F0213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67F0213), Nov 12, 1966: Cessna 150E (N3050J), Concord, CA, substantial damage 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.