# NTSB LAX84LA171: Cessna 150F, N8242S, Folsom Lake, CA, February 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1984, 17:50 local (Feb 17, 1984, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Folsom Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.669349, -121.140235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6693&lon=-121.1402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA171

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER DEPARTURE A TOTAL POWER LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DUE TO ROUGH UNSUITABLE TERRAIN THE PLT ELECTED TO DITCH IN A NEARBY LAKE. UPON RECOVERY OF THE ACFT ABOUT 1 GAL OF FUEL AND 5 GALS OF WATER WERE FOUND IN EACH FUEL TANK. DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE PILOT NOTED FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS OF ONE FOURTH FULL IN ONE TANK AND SLIGHTLY LESS IN THE OTHER. NO EFFORT WAS MADE TO CONFIRM THIS FUEL LOAD; THE PLT THOUGHT HE HAD A TOTAL OF 7 GALS OF FUEL. 3.5 GALS WERE UNUSABLE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD CONSUMED ONE BEER PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FACILITY THAT RECOVERED THE ACFT SUCCESSFULLY RAN THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8242S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8242S-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 15061842, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061842
- Airframe hours: 6087
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Explorer Post 747
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: 061, CAMERON PARK, CA
- Destination: 061, CAMERON PARK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 136 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19840216004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840216004879A), Feb 16, 1984: Cessna 150F, Folsom Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Witness saw aircraft buzzing lake and stall into lake after a wingover. Occupants drank beer prior to the flight.

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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