# NTSB FTW89LA102: Cessna 150L, N17130, Onalaska, TX, May 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Onalaska, TX
- Coordinates: 30.800579, -95.100761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8006&lon=-95.1008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA102

## Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, ON THE GROUND, PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT AND THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT.

## 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
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS INSTRUCTOR DISCUSSED THE FACT THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT FULL OF FUEL. THE STUDENT SAID IT WAS HIS UNDERSTANDING THAT HE WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT IF THE FLIGHT WENT ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT PLAN. THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT INDICATE THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FLIGHT UNTIL HE NOTICED THE FUEL GAGES WERE ON EMPTY. THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE HAD FLOWN TO THE TURNAROUND AIRPORT, MADE A TOUCH-AND-CO LANDING, AND WAS ENROUTE HOME WHEN HE NOTICED THE FUEL GAGES WERE ON ZERO. HE HEADED FOR A NEARBY AIRPORT BUT THE ENGINE STOPPED BEFORE HE MADE IT THERE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OF THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE HIT A TREE STUMP AND WENT FORWARD TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17130](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17130-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 15073630, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073630
- Airframe hours: 4500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Huddleston, Ronnie L.
- Registered owner: Huddleston, Ronnie L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CXO, CONROE, TX
- Destination: CXO, CONROE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °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 19890529013059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529013059A), May 29, 1989: Cessna 150L, Onalaska, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a solo crosscountry flight. CFI was aware of fuel status at departure.

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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