# NTSB FTW89LA017: Cessna 150, N16135, Gladewater, TX, November 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1988, 21:15 local (Nov 11, 1988, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Gladewater, TX
- Coordinates: 32.540992, -94.939071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5410&lon=-94.9391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A PERSONAL NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO THE HOME AIRPORT BUT WAS UNABLE AND HAD TO ACCEPT A FORCED LANDING ON A RAILROAD TRACK. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, ONE WING IMPACTED A TREE BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE AIRPLANE STRAIGHT AND LANDED ON THE TRACKS. DURING AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE PILOT AND AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR, THE PILOT STATED HE HAD NOTICED THE INDICATED FUEL QUANTITY IN THE TANKS HAD DECREASED MORE RAPIDLY ON THIS LEG OF THE FLIGHT. THE INSPECTOR FOUND THE PRIMER UNLOCKED, WITH THE PLUNGER EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH. AN ENTRY IN THE AIRPLANE LOGBOOK INDICATED AN 'O' RING HAD BEEN REPLACED IN THE PRIMER, PRIOR TO THE FIRST LEG OF THIS FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16135](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16135-1989-02-06), registration cancelled 1989-02-06, S/N 15073502 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073502
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Misty B. Corporation
- Registered owner: Tejas Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3F7, BRISTOW, OK
- Destination: O7F
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 07F, Municipal, runway 13, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 13 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19881110053919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881110053919A), Nov 10, 1988: Cessna 150, Gladewater, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel at night. Crashed in tree. Primer became unlocked, not noticed by pilot. Recent work on primer.

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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