# NTSB FTW93LA050: Cessna 150, N6539L, Norman, OK, December 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1992, 20:15 local (Dec 12, 1992, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Location: 35.2226° N, 97.4395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norman, OK, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2226&lon=-97.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE AND POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THAT COMMENCED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS AND TERMINATED UNDER DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER. DURING THE LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK ELECTRICAL WIRES AND A TELEPHONE POST. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE LANDING LIGHT, BUT DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL AFTER HIS 1ST LEG AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AT THE NEXT 2 LANDING SITES. ENROUTE TO HIS 4TH DESTINATION THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED FOLLOWING APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS AND 45 MINUTES OF FLIGHT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED, ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE AND NO FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT INFORMED THE CONTROL FACILITY THAT HE WAS 10 MILES FROM THE INTENDED LANDING SITE AND A SHORT TIME LATER REPORTED HIS ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND HE WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT WAS NOT USING HIS SHOULDER HARNESS AND HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACIAL AREAS. THE PILOT WAS ISSUED HIS PRIVATE CERTIFICATE 10 DAYS PRIOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6539L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6539L-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15284429, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284429
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: American Flight Academy
- Registered owner: American Flight Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ADH, ADA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 35 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 4 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 19921211049879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921211049879A), Dec 11, 1992: Cessna 152, Norman, OK, Substantial damage. Unable to obtain fuel at several airports due late hour. Ran out of fuel on final at Norman ok. Struck powerline.

## Other investigations on N6539L (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX83FA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA373), Aug 6, 1983: Cessna 152 (N6539L), Fullerton, CA, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.