# NTSB LAX87LA036: Cessna 150L, N5360Q, Elk Grove, CA, November 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1986, 18:30 local (Nov 9, 1986, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Elk Grove, CA
- Coordinates: 38.439815, -121.30072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4398&lon=-121.3007&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): 25469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT WAS RETURNING FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN RESTARTED. THE PLT CHECKED THE FUEL GAUGES WHICH INDICATED ONE TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE OTHER WAS 1/4 FULL. AT ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 300 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AN EXAM OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT DID NOT ALLOW FOR UNUSABLE FUEL DURING HIS FUEL CALCULATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5360Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5360Q-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 15073260, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073260
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David H. March
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1986, 70 hours before
- Departed: Q40
- Airport: Q40, Sunset Skyranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 114 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 5 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 19861108054569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861108054569A), Nov 8, 1986: Cessna 150L, Elk Grove, CA, Substantial damage. The engine stopped from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft struck a ditch during landing.

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.