# NTSB FTW84LA174: Cessna 150M, N6494K, Bryan, TX, March 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1984, 19:55 local (Mar 26, 1984, 01:55 UTC)
- Place: Bryan, TX
- Coordinates: 30.639703, -96.359474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6397&lon=-96.3595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA174

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION BEFORE THE PLT REACHED HIS FINAL DESTINATION. DURING A SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AS IT WAS TOUCHING DOWN. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ESTIMATED THERE WAS 1.5 GALS OF USABLE FUEL ON BOARD WHEN THE ENG STOPPED & THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT THAT MUCH REMAINING. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT USE OF THE SHOULDER HARNESSES SPARED HIM & THE PASSENGER FROM INJURY. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PLT RELATED THAT AN INTERMEDIATE STOP FOR FUEL WOULD HAVE COST 'TOO MUCH IN TIME & MONEY' & HE SAW NO REASON TO TERMINATE THE FLT. HE OVERFLEW SEVERAL SUITABLE REFUELING POINTS IN ORDER TO REACH HIS DESTINATION NON-STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6494K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077729
- Airframe hours: 4900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl N. Schaffhauser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1983, 100 hours before
- Departed: DUC, DUNCAN, OK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 33 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19840325008989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840325008989A), Mar 25, 1984: Cessna 150M, Bryan, TX, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel at night. Crash landed in a cattle pen. Had disregarded owners instructions to refuel en route.

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.

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