# NTSB LAX84LA050: Cessna 150H, N23268, San Jose, CA, November 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1983, 13:33 local (21:33 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.330692, -121.829872 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3307&lon=-121.8299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLOWN FROM SAN JOSE, CA TO AN ARPT NEAR SUTTER CREEK, CA WHERE THE PLT LANDED. BEFORE TAKING OFF ON THE RETURN FLT, HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL, AND ACCORDING TO HIM, THE FUEL WAS WITHIN 1/2 INCH FROM THE TOP OF THE TANKS. NO FUEL WAS ADDED BEFORE DEPARTING. DURING ARRIVAL AT SAN JOSE, THE ENG LOST POWER, ABOUT 2 1/4 MI FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AT THAT TIME, THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FUEL GAGE INDICATED NEARLY 1/4 FULL & THE RIGHT GAGE INDICATED 1/8 FULL. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A BERM & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THERE WAS LESS THAN 3 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING. THE FUEL CAPACITY OF THE PLANE WAS 26 GAL, OF WHICH, 22.5 GAL WAS CONSIDERED AS USABLE. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 4 HRS SINCE IT WAS REFUELED. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE PLANE'S ENDURANCE AT 4000 FT WITH 75% POWER WAS 4 HRS. ALSO, THE MANUAL STATED THAT THIS VALUE COULD VARY 10% OR MORE DUE TO VARIABLES SUCH AS CARB METERING CHARACTERISTICS, ENG & PROP CONDITION, & ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23268 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068836
- Airframe hours: 5151
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Aviation Services
- Registered owner: Arnold J. Cochran
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1983, 58 hours before
- Departed: 070, SUTTER CREEK, CA
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 7 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV, 2 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 19831106056399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831106056399A), Nov 6, 1983: Cessna 150H, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from 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.

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