# NTSB FTW87LA005: Cessna 150J, N5552G, Lago Vista, TX, October 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1986, 19:10 local (Oct 16, 1986, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Lago Vista, TX
- Coordinates: 30.56085, -97.860191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5608&lon=-97.8602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & STUDENT HAD PLANNED A 30 MIN FLT TO PRACTICE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER THE 3RD TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE CFI STATED THAT HE MEASURED THE FUEL SUPPLY WITH A RULER DRG THE PREFLT & CALCULATED THAT 6.5 GAL OR ENOUGH FOR APRX 1 HR OF FLT WAS REMAINING. HOWEVER, THE ENG QUITE AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HR OF OPERATION. THE TOTAL FUEL SUPPLY OF THE ACFT WAS 26 GAL, OF WHICH, 3.5 GAL WAS CONSIDERED AS UNUSABLE. DRG AN EXAM AFTER THE ACDNT, ONLY ABOUT 2 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING. NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5552G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5552G-1989-07-26), registration cancelled 1989-07-26, S/N 15071052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071052
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: G. D. Widner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1986
- Departed: 5R3, LAGO VISTA, TX
- Airport: 5R3, Lago Vista Bar-K Airpark, runway 33, 3,790 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,772 total, 492 in this make and model, 1,607 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19861015048769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861015048769A), Oct 15, 1986: Cessna 150J, Lago Vista, TX, Destroyed. Engine failed from fuel exhaustion. Instructor force landed plane in trees. Auto fuel was being used, STC unknown.

## Other investigations on N5552G (1)

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 FTW78FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA009), Nov 6, 1977: Cessna 150J (N5552G), Killeen, TX, 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.

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