# NTSB LAX84LA437: Cessna 150, N4130U, Grass Valley, CA, August 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1984, 01:05 local (08:05 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.179698, -120.979583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1797&lon=-120.9796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA437
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA437

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,tachometer - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON X-COUNTRY FLT. BEFORE LANDING AT LAKEVIEW, OR, THE TACHOMETER FAILED & BEGAN MAKING A NOISE. AT LAKEVIEW, THE PLT DISCONNECTED THE TACHOMETER & HAD 7.5 GALS OF FUEL ADDED TO 1 TANK. HE ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD 15 GALS OF WHICH 3.5 GALS WERE UNUSABLE. ON THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED AN ESTIMATED 15 KT HEADWIND. ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF HIS DESTINATION, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & SUBSEQUENTLY LOST POWER. AT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT FUEL GAGE WAS REPORTEDLY INDICATING 1/4 TO 1/2 FULL & THE LEFT FULL GAGE INDICATED EMPTY. DURING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT A TREE BESIDE THE ROADWAY, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. APRX 1 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4130U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060130
- Airframe hours: 4213
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy C. Fagan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1984
- Departed: LKV, LAKEVIEW, OR
- Destination: Q62, GRASS VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 462 total, 210 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAB, 20 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 19840813040179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840813040179A), Aug 13, 1984: Cessna 150D, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Wing hit trees while landing on a road. Aircraft stopped in a ditch.

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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