# NTSB LAX82DUJ47: Cessna 150, N45540, Carrizo, AZ, September 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1982, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Carrizo, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.800117, -110.089027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8001&lon=-110.0890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DUJ47
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DUJ47

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS "LONG" CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT WAS FROM LIBBY AIR FIELD, AZ TO SILVER CITY, NM WITH AN EN ROUTE TIME OF ABOUT 1.3 HRS. ON THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLIGHT TO GLOBE, AZ, HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND COULD NOT PIN-POINT HIS LOCATION ON HIS MAP. HE CONTACTED THE PHOENIX FSS AND CLIMBED TO 9000 FT WHILE REMAINING ON A HEADING OF 290 DEG. SUBSEEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING SHORT OF A DIRT STRIP NEAR CARRIZO, AZ AFTER FLYING ABOUT 2 HRS. REPORTEDLY, THE STRIP WAS OVERGROWN WITH BRUSH AND HAD TREES NEARBY. CARRIZO IS LOCATED ABOUT 38 NM NORTH OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE STARTING THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45540](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45540-1996-12-11), registration cancelled 1996-12-11, S/N 15076965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076965
- Airframe hours: 1740
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fort Huachuca Aviation Club
- Registered owner: James William Nye
- Departed: SVC, SILVER CITY, MN
- Destination: P13, GLOBE, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 57 total, 36 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820917047379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820917047379A), Sep 17, 1982: Cessna 150M, Carrizo, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost on cross country solo. Ran out of fuel. Crash landed. Failed to fuel at last stop.

## Other investigations on N45540 (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 CHI76FET25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FET25), Dec 24, 1975: Cessna 150M (N45540), Fort Wayne, IN, 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.

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