# NTSB GAA17CA121: Cessna 150, N3545L, Denton, TX, January 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 23, 2017, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Denton, TX - Coordinates: 33.220275, -97.205833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2203&lon=-97.2058&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94640/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94640 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA121 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on base to final, the engine "quit." He added that the airplane could not reach the runway, so he conducted a forced landed in a small field 1/2 mile from the airport. The airplane impacted a tree during landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident stated that, when he arrived, he only observed a few drops of fuel remaining in the airplane's undamaged fuel system. He further stated that, before removal of the wings from the airplane for transport, about 1.5 gallons of total fuel was drained from the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on base to final, the engine quit. He further reported that the airplane could not make it to the runway and force landed in a small field a half mile from the airport. The airplane impacted a tree during landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage and wings. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who responded to the accident stated, that when he arrived he only observed a few drops of fuel remaining in the airplane's undamaged fuel system. He further stated that prior to removal of the wings from the airplane for transport, all the fuel was drained from the fuel tanks, totaling approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3545L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3545L-2019-10-02), registration cancelled 2019-10-02, S/N 15062345, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15062345 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 4710 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2016 - Departed: 3T6, JUSTIN, TX - Destination: DTO, Denton, TX - Airport: DTO, Denton Enterprise - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 27,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KDTO, 1 nm away ## Other investigations on N3545L (2) 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 CHI71FBQ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBQ25), Nov 7, 1970: Cessna 150 (N3545L), Carbondale, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI68F0490](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0490), Dec 8, 1967: Cessna 150 (N3545L), Desoto, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94640. 996 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 571 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.