# NTSB LAX83LA258: Cessna 150M, N3437V, Phelan, CA, May 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1983, 09:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Phelan, CA
- Coordinates: 34.419113, -117.47956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4191&lon=-117.4796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA258

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED RAMONA, CA ON A FLT TO PALOMAR, CA WHERE HE PLANNED TO REFUEL. HE REPORTED THAT HE MISSED THE 'PALOMAR TURN OFF', AND THEREAFTER, FLEW TO HESPERIA, CA & LANDED. NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT HESPERIA. THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED THERE STILL WAS FUEL REMAINING, SO HE TOOK OFF FOR THE BARSTOW-DAGGETT ARPT, LOCATED 40 MI NORTHEAST. HOWEVER, AFTER FLYING 14 MI NORTHWEST, HE OBSERVED GEORGE AFB & INCORRECTLY IDENTIFIED IT AS HIS DESTINATION. WHEN HE REALIZED HIS MISTAKE, HE TURNED BACK TOWARD HESPERIA. WHILE ENROUTE, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. REPORTEDLY, THE FUEL GAUGES WERE STILL INDICATING APRX 1/4 FULL.  AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN ROUGH DESERT TERRAIN WHERE THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A JOSHUA TREE & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3437V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3437V-1984-02-14), registration cancelled 1984-02-14, S/N 15076503, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076503
- Airframe hours: 3585
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lloyd R. Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 30, 1983, 21 hours before
- Departed: L26, HESPERIA, CA
- Destination: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 7 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830529021669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830529021669A), May 29, 1983: Cessna 150M, Phelan, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot on unauthorized crosscountry crashed during emergency landing after fuel exhaustion.

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.