# NTSB LAX87LA268: Cessna 150G, N3487J, Oakland, CA, July 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1987, 16:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Location: 37.8044° N, 122.2708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8044&lon=-122.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA268

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT HAD JUST BEEN CLEARED TO LAND WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED THEN QUIT. UNABLE TO LAND AT THE ARPT THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD WHERE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THERE WAS APRX ONE AND HALF GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND THE RIGHT WAS EMPTY. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3487J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3487J-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 15066187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066187
- Airframe hours: 2075
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul E. Gromer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1987, 15 hours before
- Departed: RHV, SANTA CLARA, CA
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: Oakland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 21 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 6 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 19870715034789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870715034789A), Jul 15, 1987: Cessna 150G, Oakland, CA, Substantial damage. Lost engine power on final approach. Forced landing. Landed on a road. Landed hard and nosed over. Fuel exhaustion.

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.
