# NTSB FTW87LA014: Cessna 150H, N22968, Portland, TX, November 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1986, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Portland, TX
- Coordinates: 27.869411, -97.32051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8694&lon=-97.3205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD INITIATED A GO-AROUND AND WAS ON A LEFT CROSSWIND WHEN A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN 4 FEET OF WATER IN THE NUECES BAY. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22968](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22968-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N 15068650 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068650
- Airframe hours: 3399
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Wilks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1985
- Departed: HRL, HARLINGEN, TX
- Destination: 9R5, PORTLAND, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 9R5, Portland Hunt, runway 14, 2,700 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 76 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 16 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 19861102056769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861102056769A), Nov 2, 1986: Cessna 150H, Portland, TX, Substantial damage. The engine failed on go around and the pilot ditched the aircraft in a bay. The pilot suspects fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N22968 (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 FTW78DRA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRA13), Mar 26, 1978: Cessna 150 (N22968), Shiner, 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.

---
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.
