# NTSB LAX84LA279: Cessna 150J, N5559G, Fort Ord, CA, April 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1984, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Ord, CA
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA279

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE LEFT FUEL GAGE INDICATED A LITTLE LESS THAN 1/2 FULL & THE RIGHT GAGE SHOWED APRX 1/2 FULL. HE STATED THAT A 'VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWED ABOUT THE SAME, AS MUCH AS I COULD SEE.' THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST PWR ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN WHERE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE ROLL-OUT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE POWER LOSS, HE HAD CHECKED THE FUEL GAGES & THEY INDICATED ABOUT 1/4 FULL. AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS BEING USED & AN STC HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ABOUT 2 1/2 GALS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5559G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5559G-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 15071059, 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: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071059
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nicholas B. Storm
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1983, 37 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 483 total, 89 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19840429015139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840429015139A), Apr 29, 1984: Cessna 150J, Ft Ord, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N5559G (2)

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 SEA04LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA042), Feb 20, 2004: Cessna 150J (N5559G), Longview, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion while maneuvering, as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision/planning, leading to his failure to refuel the airplane prior to running out of fuel. A ditch was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA90LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA051), Mar 12, 1990: Cessna 150J (N5559G), Graham, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER BOUNCING/BALLOONING DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION WAS A FACTOR…

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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