# NTSB FTW90LA045: Cessna 150M, N63391, Minden, TX, December 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1989, 15:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Minden, TX
- Location: 32.0135° N, 94.7074° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Minden, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0135&lon=-94.7074&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL BY NOT MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AERIAL OBSERVATION FOR TEXAS FOREST SERVICE. THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED HENDERSON AT 1200. WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO REFUEL, THE PILOT WAS ASKED TO CHECK OUT A FIRE NEAR MINDEN. AFTER CIRCLING THE AREA FOR APRX 15 MINUTES THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. NO USABLE FUEL REMAINED IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63391](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63391-1992-12-28), registration cancelled 1992-12-28, S/N 15077279 (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: 15077279
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen E. Conaway
- Departed: HNO, HENDERSON, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,539 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,288 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19891226053249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891226053249A), Dec 26, 1989: Cessna 150M, Minden, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a forest fire observation flight. Overshot a clearing landing downwind rolled into trees.

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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