# NTSB FTW89LA001: Cessna 150, N51112, Navasota, TX, October 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1988, 20:08 local (Oct 8, 1988, 01:08 UTC)
- Place: Navasota, TX
- Coordinates: 30.379119, -96.079147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3791&lon=-96.0791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA001

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT STRUCK A TREE DURING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENG FAILURE IN CRUISE FLT. THE ENG FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FLT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR 4 HOURS AND 44 MINUTES; HOWEVER, THE PLT HAD CALCULATED THAT HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO MAKE HIS DESTINATION WITH A 30 MINUTE RESERVE. HE OVERFLEW SEVERAL AIRPORTS THAT HAD FUEL AVAILABLE DURING THE FINAL STAGES OF THE FLT. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 15 MILES PAST ONE OF THOSE AIRPORTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51112](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51112-1989-05-10), registration cancelled 1989-05-10, S/N 15069774 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. Rouville Labonte
- Registered owner: Labonte, Rouville J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: DWH, TOMBALL, TX
- 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: 125 total, 80 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 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 19881007047529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881007047529A), Oct 7, 1988: Cessna 172N, Navasota, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Struck a tree on the forced landing.

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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