# NTSB LAX85LA272: Cessna 150M, N704FU, Colusa, CA, June 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1985, 00:25 local (07:25 UTC)
- Place: Colusa, CA
- Coordinates: 39.269725, -122.049865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2697&lon=-122.0499&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): 24739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA272

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT AT NIGHT WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND NOTED 12-15 GALS OF FUEL IN THE TANKS. UPON LEVEL OFF AT 5500 FT AGL HE NOTED A SLIGHT LACK OF ENGINE POWER. HE ALSO NOTED THAT ONE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE OTHER TANK READ 1/4 FULL. BECAUSE OF THESE FACTORS HE DECIDED TO DIVERT TO AN ARPT HE HAD IN SIGHT. DURING THE DESCENT TO THAT ARPT, THE ENG QUIT RUNNING. THE PLT THEN PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN TREES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT IN A DRAINAGE DITCH APRX 50 YARDS FROM THE ARPT RWY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704FU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704FU-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N 15078583, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078583
- Airframe hours: 2892
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dan Fregin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: 069, PETALUMA, CA
- Destination: 037, ORLAND, CA
- Airport: 008, Colusa County, runway 13, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 64 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850613024719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850613024719A), Jun 13, 1985: Cessna 150M, Colusa, CA, Substantial damage. Diverted when fuel gauges showed low fuel fuel exhausted. Struck trees near runway. Estimated fuel on preflight.

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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