# NTSB FTW90LA027: Cessna 150M, N9258U, Norman, OK, November 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1989, 18:00 local (Nov 15, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Coordinates: 35.249458, -97.460899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2495&lon=-97.4609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED AND DELAYED IN OBTAINING HELP FROM THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN HE BECAME LOST. HE TRIED FOR SOME TIME TO RELOCATE HIMSELF, THEN CALLED A FSS FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FSS GUIDED HIM BACK TO THE DEPARTURE AREA. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AND THE PLT LANDED ONE MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT IN AN OIL FIELD PIPE YARD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9258U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9258U-1991-01-03), registration cancelled 1991-01-03, S/N 15078208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-78208
- Airframe hours: 3750
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airman Flight School, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 28, 1989, 66 hours before
- Destination: RUS, TULSA, OK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OUN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 11 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 19891114045279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891114045279A), Nov 14, 1989: Cessna 150M, Norman, OK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel short of airport after a solo crosscountry. Aircraft demolished landing in field of oil pipes.

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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