# NTSB FTW90LA075: Cessna 150J, N51402, Tomball, TX, February 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1990, 19:26 local (Feb 28, 1990, 01:26 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.090032, -95.609138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0900&lon=-95.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE SOFT/WET TERRAIN.

## 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 - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ON AN EXTENDED DOWNWIND AFTER A TWO LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHICH LASTED 2.9 HOURS. THE SECOND PILOT EXECUTED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AS HE HAD MORE TOTAL TIME THAN THE PIC. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT/WET TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RENTAL AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN 1 FLIGHT OF 0.7 HRS BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT TRIP AND HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED ON ITS RETURN. THE PIC HAD BASED HER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS ON A RATE OF 4.6 GPH INSTEAD OF THE 6.4 GPH THAT RECORDS INDICATED WAS THE CORRECT CONSUMPTION RATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51402 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069983
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Merriworth Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: T97, PORT LAVACA, TX
- Destination: DWH, TOMBALL, TX
- Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks, runway 17, 7,000 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 55 total, 9 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: DWH

## 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 19900227002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900227002949A), Feb 27, 1990: Cessna 150J, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel in pattern. Other pilot took over. Landed short. Nosed over used wrong fuel consumption figures.

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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