# NTSB LAX01LA213: Cessna 150E, N3937U, Burbank, CA, June 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2001, 19:45 local (Jun 17, 2001, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Burbank, CA - Coordinates: 34.196666, -118.301391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1967&lon=-118.3014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52517/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA213 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion while maneuvering during a banner tow flight due to an inadequate fuel supply. A factor was the pilot's improper preflight preparation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis After waiting about 55 minutes for a fuel truck to service his airplane, the pilot noted that the airplane's fuel tank gauges registered 1/4-full, so he took off on the banner tow flight. Fuel exhaustion occurred about 26 minutes later. Unable to reach the nearest airport, the pilot made a forced landing on a hillside. A police officer examined the airplane and reported that no fuel was found in its tanks. The pilot indicated that no mechanical malfunction or failure had precipitated the loss of engine power. The pilot had about 4,000 hours of flight time, of which 1,100 hours were acquired flying the Cessna 150. He held a certified flight instructor certificate for airplanes, an instrument rating, and an airframe and engine powerplant certificate. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2001, about 1945 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N3937U, experienced a total loss of engine power during a banner tow operation over Burbank, California. The airplane was operated by Red Baron Air, in Pacoima, California, and was owned by the pilot. During the pilot's forced landing, the airplane impacted vegetation-covered terrain behind a residence and was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial certificated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Whiteman Airport, Los Angeles, California, about 1915. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had requested his airplane be refueled prior to taking off. However, after waiting about 55 minutes the fuel truck had not serviced the airplane. The pilot said that he then checked the tanks visually, and the fuel gauges indicated 1/4-full. Believing that he had adequate fuel for the planned 40-minute-long flight, he took off. The pilot further indicated that after flying for about 26 minutes he experienced the first indications of fuel starvation. He was unable to reach the nearest airport, so he made a forced landing without engine power on a hillside. A Burbank Police Department officer verbally reported to the Safety Board investigator that no fuel was found in the airplane's fuel tanks. In the pilot's completed accident report, he acknowledged that no mechanical malfunction or failure had precipitated the loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he had about 4,000 hours of flight time, of which 1,100 hours were acquired flying the Cessna 150. He held a certified flight instructor certificate for airplanes, an instrument rating, and an airframe and engine powerplant certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3937U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3937U-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 15061337, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150E - Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061337 - Airframe hours: 6362 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Red Baron Air - Registered owner: Darrell D. Latham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2000, 79 hours before - Departed: WHP, Los Angeles, CA - Destination: WHP, Los Angeles, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 30, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: BUR, 3 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 20010616014319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010616014319A), Jun 16, 2001: Cessna 150E, Burbank, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On June 16, 2001, about 1945 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N3937U, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power… ## Other investigations on N3937U (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 OAK71FVG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVG19), Sep 12, 1970: Cessna 150 (N3937U), Franklin, CA, substantial damage 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.