# NTSB LAX85FUQ02: Cessna 150H, N23045, Sylmar, CA, March 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 17:40 local (Mar 31, 1985, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Sylmar, CA
- Coordinates: 34.320957, -118.380264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3210&lon=-118.3803&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): 24546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FUQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24546/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FUQ02

## 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
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENG QUIT DURING A RETURN FROM A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT NEARING THE END OF HIS FLT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE OVER THE MTS AND HE CLIMBED TO 7500 FT IN SEARCH OF SMOOTHER AIR. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS HE STARTED A SLOW DESCENT FROM 7500 FT AND AT APRX 4000 FT MSL THE ENG QQUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CREW THAT RECOVERED THE ACFT SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE PLT STATED IN INTERVIEW THAT HE HAD NOT REFUELED AT EVERY EN ROUTE STOP AS INSTRUCTED BY THE CFI BEFORE THE FLT. THE ACFT WAS FORCED TO LAND ON A FREEWAY WHERE A COLLISION WITH WIRES, LIGHTS AND POLES OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23045](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23045-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N 15068696 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068696
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jan Checinski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: SMA, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Destination: WHP, PACOIMA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 78 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850330012689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330012689A), Mar 30, 1985: Cessna 150H, Sylmar, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to refuel at each stop as was told to do by instructor. Ran out of fuel. Hit wire,pole landing on a freeway.

## Other investigations on N23045 (1)

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 LAX72FUQ34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUQ34), Oct 10, 1971: Cessna 150 (N23045), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage

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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