# NTSB FTW90LA165: Cessna 150M, N704XJ, Kerrville, TX, August 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1990, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039896, -99.129959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0399&lon=-99.1300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA165

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT BECOMING LOST.

## 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
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FOR A SCHEDULED SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT LANDED AT A PRIVATE STRIP AND PICKED UP A PASSENGER. EN ROUTE TO THE NEXT AIRPORT, HE GOT LOST AND LANDED AT ANOTHER AIRPORT. HE DID NOT REFUEL THE AIRPLANE. AFTER DEPARTING, HE GOT LOST AGAIN AND WHEN THE AIRPLANE FINALLY GOT 6 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A BALLPARK, THE AIRPLANE RAN INTO A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704XJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704XJ-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 15078953, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078953
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Panther Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 2, 1990
- Departed: T28, LAMPASAS, TX
- Destination: ERV, KERRVILLE, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERV, 6 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 19900825036189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900825036189A), Aug 25, 1990: Cessna 150M, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. Student landed private strip. Picked up passenger. Got lost. Landed another airport. Lost again no fuel. Hit fence.

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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