# NTSB FTW93LA112: Cessna 150C, N2015Z, El Paso, TX, March 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1993, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.84028, -106.430335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8403&lon=-106.4303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA112

## Probable cause

THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE 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(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY, HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND WAS FORCED TO LAND ON UNSUITABLE, ROUGH AND UNEVEN, TERRAIN. AN ON SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL SPILLAGE AND NO USABLE FUEL IN THE FUEL CELLS.

## Factual narrative

On March 27, 1993, at approximately 1215 central standard time (CST), a Cessna 150C, N2015Z, was substantially damaged following a forced landing during the initial climb following a takeoff from El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas. The private pilot, who was also the owner, was not injured.

Information provided by the pilot to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that he had taken off and during the initial climb he lost total engine power. He further reported that he attempted to return to the runway, however, he was unable to and was forced to land in an adjoining unsuitable area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2015Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2015Z-1993-07-06), registration cancelled 1993-07-06, S/N 15059815 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150C
- Registry model: [Cessna 150C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150c) (registry code 2071808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15059815
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wright, Carl D.
- Registered owner: Wright, Carl D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1993, 31 hours before
- Departed: ELP
- Destination: ELP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,951 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930327007019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930327007019A), Mar 27, 1993: Cessna 150C, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. No usable fuel onboard.

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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