# NTSB GAA18CA124: Cessna 150, N61024, El Dorado, KS, February 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 3, 2018, 18:30 local (Feb 4, 2018, 00:30 UTC) - Place: El Dorado, KS - Coordinates: 37.869998, -96.690002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8700&lon=-96.6900&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 June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96730/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96730 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA124 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent off-airport landing and nose-over. ## 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 150J, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071820), [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 150J, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/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 150J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, en route, he noticed a drop in the engine's rpm. He noted that the fuel shutoff valve was open, and the gas gauges showed half full in the right tank and quarter full in the left tank. He added that the carburetor heat was off, the mixture was full rich, and then the engine quit running. During the third attempt to restart the engine, it briefly started and then quit again. Subsequently, during an off-airport landing in a field, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that he had filled the gas "to the top" (22.5 gallons) before departure and had flown for 3.7 hours. The 1969 Cessna 150 owner's manual states that the airplane's maximum range was 4.1 hours with no reserve at 75% power at 7,000 ft. The pilot further reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge that he did not consult the emergency checklist because it was placed in the glovebox. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors drained the fuel tanks about 5 days after the accident and reported that there was no evidence of fuel leakage around the fuel caps or on the ground. They drained about 8 to 12 ounces from the left wing tank and about 3/4 of a gallon from the right wing tank. The FAA inspectors added that the engine showed proper continuity, and the magnetos were operational. The engine was not run due to a fractured intake manifold just above the carburetor base flange. The fracture damage to the intake manifold was consistent with impact damage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that en route, he noticed a drop in the airplane's engine RPM. He noted that the fuel shut off valve was open, and the gas gauges showed half full in the right tank and quarter full in the left tank. He added that the carburetor heat was off, the mixture was full rich, and then the engine quit running. During the third attempt to restart the engine, it briefly started and then quit again. Subsequently, during an off-airport landing in a field, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added, that he had filled the gas "to the top" (22.5 gallons) prior to departure and had flown for 3.7 hours. The 1969 Cessna 150 owner's manual states that the airplane's maximum range was 4.1 hours with no reserve at 75% power at 7,000 ft. The pilot further reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge that, he did not consult the emergency checklist as it was placed in the glovebox. FAA inspectors drained the fuel tanks about 5 days after the accident and reported that there was no evidence of fuel leakage around the fuel caps or on the ground. They drained about 8-12 ounces from the left wing tank and about ¾ of a gallon from the right wing tank. The FAA added that the engine showed proper continuity and the magnetos were operational. The engine was not run due to a fractured intake manifold just above the carburetor base flange. The fracture damage to the intake manifold was consistent with impact damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61024](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61024-2018-12-12), registration cancelled 2018-12-12, S/N 15070742, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070742 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 5311 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2017 - Departed: LWC, LAWRENCE, KS - Destination: 71K, WICHITA, KS - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 95 total, 95 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KAAO, 26 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 20180203006129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180203006129A), Feb 3, 2018: Cessna 150J, El Dorado, KS, Substantial damage. Aircraft N61024 was flown from westport airport, wichita, KS to lawrence municipal airport, lawrence, KS and then was enroute, VFR night; back to westport… ## Other investigations on N61024 (1) 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 MKC80DCG39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DCG39), Aug 10, 1980: Cessna 150J (N61024), Horton, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96730. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 661 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot Email (item 4, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot%20Email-Master.PDF - FAA Scene/Report (item 5, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Scene%2FReport-Master.PDF - Performance - Specifications (item 6, .PDF, 400 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Performance%20-%20Specifications-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.