# NTSB FTW93LA253: Cessna 150H, N23192, Weatherford, TX, September 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 1993, 13:48 local (18:48 UTC) - Place: Weatherford, TX - Coordinates: 32.750614, -97.770332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7506&lon=-97.7703&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, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA253 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO HAVE THE AIRPLANE SERVICED TO CAPACITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND HIS ERRONEOUS FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT DEPARTED NORTHWEST REGIONAL AIRPORT, FORT WORTH, TEXAS, WITH THE INTENTION OF FLYING TO RANGER, TEXAS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE RANGER AIRPORT, SO HE TURNED AROUND AND PROCEEDED BACK TOWARDS FORT WORTH. NEAR WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHEN POWER WAS LOST, BOTH FUEL GAUGES REGISTERED ONE QUARTER FULL. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY FAA PERSONNEL REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS HAD NOT BEEN COMPROMISED, THE TANKS WERE EMPTY, AND THERE WERE NO FUEL STAINS ON THE GROUND. THE SALVAGE CREW REPORTED FINDING APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF GALLON AND ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS, RESPECTIVELY. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 1993, at approximately 1348 central daylight time, the pilot of a Cessna 150H, N23192, made a forced landing near Weatherford, Texas, after the engine lost power. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The following is based on information collected by the Federal Aviation Administration FAA). The pilot departed Northwest Regional Airport, Fort Worth, Texas, on a proposed cross country flight to Ranger, Texas. The pilot told an FAA inspector that he was unable to locate Ranger Airport, so he turned around and was returning to Fort Worth when the engine lost power. The pilot indicated on his accident report that both fuel gauges registered 1/4 full. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane lose altitude and said the engine was not operating. The FAA inspector reported the fuel tanks were not compromised, no fuel was found in the tanks, and no fuel stains were noted on the ground. On September 8, 1993, the engine was examined by representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Teledyne Continental Motors. The following is based on a report submitted by the Cessna Aircraft Company. Drive train continuity was established and all four cylinders had compression. The top spark plugs were dry. Only a few drops of fuel was noted in the carburetor bowl. Two ounces of fuel was drained from the gascolator. Salvage personnel reported there was about 1/2 gallon of fuel in the left tank and about one gallon of fuel in the right tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23192](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23192-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 15068784, built 1968 (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: 15068784 - Airframe hours: 2805 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Inman, Charles W. - Registered owner: Inman, Charles W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1993, 40 hours before - Departed: 52F, ROANOKE, TX - Destination: F23, RANGER, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 158 total, 3 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MWL, 13 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 19930904039239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930904039239A), Sep 4, 1993: Cessna 150H, Weatherford, TX, Substantial damage. Unable find destination. Diverted to alternate airport. Lost power fuel, one quarter full. Tanks were empty. 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.