# NTSB LAX86LA180: Cessna 150K, N6398G, Joshua Tree, CA, April 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1986, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Joshua Tree, CA
- Coordinates: 34.150291, -116.269515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1503&lon=-116.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT THE YUCCA VALLEY ARPT TO REFUEL, BUT NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE. THE ACFT FUEL GAGES REGISTERED 1/8 & 1/4 FULL, SO THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A PLANNED 7 MIN FLT TO ANOTHER ARPT. ABOUT 4 MIN AFTER DEPARTING, FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED.DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A JOSHUA TREE & NOSED OVER. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE ACFT 'RAN OUT OF FUEL.'  HIS LAST BFR WAS ACCOMPLISHED ABOUT 30 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ABOUT 3 HRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, SHERIFF PERSONNEL ADMINISTERED A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST TO THE PLT WHICH SHOWED THAT HIS ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.10.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6398G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6398G), registered now, S/N 150-71898, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15017898
- Airframe hours: 4004
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Graham & Neil Hughes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1984, 250 hours before
- Departed: L22, YUCCA VALLEY, CA
- Destination: L80, JOSHUA TREE, CA
- Airport: L22, Yucca Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860416012079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860416012079A), Apr 16, 1986: Cessna 150K, Joshua Tree, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft struck trees during landing. The pilot had been drinking.

## Other investigations on N6398G (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 CEN23LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA420), Sep 17, 2023: Cessna 150K (N6398G), South Saint Paul, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent brake application during takeoff which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper seat position.

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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