# NTSB FTW90LA155: Cessna 150H, N7285S, Houston, TX, August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1990, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.760559, -95.369316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7606&lon=-95.3693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA155

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO REFUELING NOT PERFORMED.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DIVERTED FROM HIS DESTINATION DUE TO A LOW FUEL STATE. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A GOLF COURSE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE AND CAME TO REST ON THE GOLF COURSE. THE PILOT DELAYED REFUELING AT HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT DUE TO AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM. EN ROUTE THREE MORE THUNDERSTORMS WERE ENCOUNTERED, REQUIRING THE PILOT TO NAVIGATE AROUND THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7285S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7285S), registered now, S/N 15067985, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15067985
- Airframe hours: 1190
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Gunderson
- Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1990
- Departed: TPL, TEMPLE, TX
- Destination: T41, LA PORTE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 133 total, 109 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 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 19900810033349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900810033349A), Aug 10, 1990: Cessna 150H, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on landing approach to alternate due low fuel. Had lengthen planned flight by avoiding weather.

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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