# NTSB LAX85LA346: Cessna 150M, N3359V, Santa Paula, CA, August 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1985, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399269, -119.07064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3993&lon=-119.0706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA346

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, dual student (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - engine instrument - inaccurate, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE CFI, WHO WAS A RETIRED AIRLINE CAPTAIN, AND HIS STUDENT PILOT, EMBARKED ON A ROUND-ROBIN FLIGHT WHICH INCLUDED LANDINGS AT FOUR ARPTS. THE FUEL TANKS WERE NOT COMPLETELY FILLED PRIOR TO TH INITIAL DEPARTURE AND NO ADDITIONAL FUEL WAS OBTAINED DURING THE 2.4 HOUR LONG FLIGHT. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AT TRAFFIC PATTERN ALT, ONE MILE FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY AND LANDED IN A SANDY RIVER BED 200 YARDS FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3359V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3359V), registered now, S/N 15076473, built 1974 (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: 15076473
- Airframe hours: 3755
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Products, Inc., doing business as Santa Paula Flight Center
- Registered owner: Richard P. Schutze
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: SMX, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 25,964 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 22,500 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19850809038889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850809038889A), Aug 9, 1985: Cessna 150M, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Forced landing in a river bed after engine quit in pattern. Fuel supply exhausted. Gauges inaccurate.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.