# NTSB LAX08CA215: Cessna 150J, N60486, Seal Beach, CA, July 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2008, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Seal Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.794445, -118.05278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7944&lon=-118.0528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA215 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper fuel management procedures and failure to select a tank containing fuel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); 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) - [Emergency descent: 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) - [Landing: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was towing a banner along the ocean shoreline at an altitude of 500 feet and an airspeed of 40 mph when the engine lost power. He dropped the banner into the water, but was unsuccessful in attempting to restart the engine. The pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean about 100 feet from shore. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after it was pulled onto the beach. The inspector reported that the right wing sustained structural damage. Additionally, the inspector noted that the airplane had been modified extensively, and one of the modifications included replacement of the original two position (ON/OFF) fuel selector valve with a four position fuel selector valve (BOTH ON/LEFT/RIGHT/OFF). The fuel selector valve was found in the LEFT tank position. The left tank contained about 1 gallon of fuel, and the right tank was full of fuel. The pilot stated that he was aware the airplane had been extensively modified, but was not aware that the fuel selector valve had been changed. He further stated that he had never touched the fuel selector switch, as he thought it was ON or OFF only. The operator reported that the pilot had received training in the airplane that included use of the four position fuel selector valve. ## Factual narrative "THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED JULY 25, 2008." The pilot reported that he was towing a banner along the ocean shoreline at an altitude of 500 feet and an airspeed of 40 mph when the engine lost power. He dropped the banner into the water, but was unsuccessful in attempting to restart the engine. The pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean about 100 feet from shore. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after it was pulled onto the beach. The inspector reported that the right wing sustained structural damage. Additionally, the inspector noted that the airplane had been modified extensively, and one of the modifications included replacement of the original two position (ON/OFF) fuel selector valve with a four position fuel selector valve (BOTH ON/LEFT/RIGHT/OFF). The fuel selector valve was found in the LEFT tank position. The left tank contained about 1 gallon of fuel, and the right tank was full of fuel. The pilot stated that he was aware the airplane had been extensively modified, but was not aware that the fuel selector valve had been changed. He further stated that he had never touched the fuel selector switch, as he thought it was ON or OFF only. The operator reported that the pilot had received training in the airplane that included use of the four position fuel selector valve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60486](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60486-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 15070346, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A4A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a4a) (registry code 42270, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070346 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Ads - Registered owner: Robert L. Scott IV - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CPM, Compton, CA - Destination: CPM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 768 total, 8 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080704840719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080704840719A), Jul 4, 2008: Cessna 150J, Seal Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed compton woodley airport (cpm) with full fuel load in the wings 18 gallons each wing 36 gallons total. Few approximately 1 hour and 45… 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.