# NTSB FTW95LA038: Cessna 150M, N6692S, Radium Springs, NM, November 6, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 1994, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Radium Springs, NM - Location: 32.4782° N, 106.9031° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Radium Springs, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4782&lon=-106.9031&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19299 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19299/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA038 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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) - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO AT 0731 AND LANDED IN ALBUQUERQUE AT 0902. THE FLIGHT THEN DEPARTED FOR SANTA FE AT 1000 ARRIVING AT 1035. A RETURN FLIGHT TO ALBUQUERQUE WAS INITIATED AT 1105 AND ARRIVED AT 1150. EIGHT GALLONS OF FUEL WERE ADDED PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FOR LAS CRUCES, THE FINAL LEG OF HIS FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE 'ESTIMATED A TOTAL FUEL REQUIREMENT OF 25.5 GALLONS' FOR THE FLIGHT. THE 'AIRCRAFT HOLDS 22.5 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL' SO AN 'ADDITIONAL RIGHT GALLONS OF FUEL (WAS) ADDED FOR A TOTAL OF 30.5 GALLONS, FIVE GALLONS RESERVE EQUIVALENT TO 1.2 HOUR RESERVE.' THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AlBUQUERQUE AT 1300. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT 1510 HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN IT CROSSED AN 8 INCH DEEP IRRIGATION DITCH. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE 'ENGINE QUIT DUE TO THE LACK OF FUEL.' ## Factual narrative On November 6, 1994, at 1510 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N6692S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Radium Springs, New Mexico. The student pilot was not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross country instructional flight. A VFR flight plan was filed. In the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the solo cross country flight originated in Las Cruces, New Mexico at 0731 and landed in Albuquerque at 0902. The flight then departed for Santa Fe at 1000 arriving at 1035. A return flight to Albuquerque was initiated at 1105 and arrived at 1150. The pilot then stated that an additional eight gallons of fuel were added prior to his departure for Las Cruces, the final leg of his flight. According to the pilot, he "estimated a total fuel requirement of 25.5 gallons" for the flight. The "aircraft holds 22.5 gallons of usable fuel" so an "additional eight gallons of fuel [was] added for a total of 30.5 gallons, five gallons reserve equivalent to 1.2 hour reserve." The aircraft departed Albuquerque at 1300. The pilot reported taht at 1510 the he experienced a total loss of engine power. He executed a forced landing to a field and the nose gear collapsed when it crossed an 8 inch deep irrigation ditch. The pilot further stated that the "engine quit due to the lack of fuel." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage, there was no evidence of fuel in the system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6692S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6692S), registered now, S/N 15067492, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - 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: 15067492 - Airframe hours: 4123 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Busick, Robert - Registered owner: West Mesa Flying Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1994, 72 hours before - Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Destination: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 25 °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 19941106037499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941106037499A), Nov 6, 1994: Cessna 150H, Radium Springs, NM, Substantial damage. Solo cross country. Landed open field. Collapsed nose gear. Fuel tanks empty. Inadequate planning and supervision. 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.