# NTSB GAA17CA542: Cessna 150, N2996S, Wasilla, AK, August 31, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2017, 16:42 local (Aug 31, 2017, 00:42 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.568054, -149.552215 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5681&lon=-149.5522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96039 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA542 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96039/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96039 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA542 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, the subsequent total loss of engine power, and a forced off-airport landing. ## 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 150G, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071816), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, on a cross-country flight, she diverted to a closer airport because the airplane was low on fuel. She added that she executed a go-around after a high approach, but when she advanced the throttle forward, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. She then landed the airplane straight ahead in brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had less than the 3.5 unusable gallons of fuel. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that on a cross country flight she diverted to a closer airport because the airplane was low on fuel. She added that she executed a go-around after a high approach, but when she advanced the throttle forward, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. She landed the airplane straight ahead in brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had less than the 3.5 unusable gallons of fuel. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2996S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2996S), registered now, S/N 15066896 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066896 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: PAHV, HEALY, AK - Destination: IYS, Wasilla, AK - Airport: IYS, Wasilla, runway 22, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 101 total, 64 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.29 inHg - Observed at: PAWS ## 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 20170830017489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170830017489A), Aug 30, 2017: Cessna 150G, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Student pilot fuel calculation inadequate for stronger than expected headwinds. Student pilot ran out of gas on missed approach to alternate airport. The… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96039. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 469 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Damage Classification (item 3, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Classification-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.