# NTSB LAX88LA128: Cessna 150M, N714FJ, Lodi, CA, March 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1988, 15:39 local (23:39 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Coordinates: 38.110363, -121.160507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1104&lon=-121.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA128

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT DEPARTED LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA, FLEW TO FRESNO TO PICK UP A PASSENGER AND THEN CONTINUED ON TO LODI, THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION. WHILE BEING VECTORED TOWARD THE AIRPORT AT LODI, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH GRAPE VINES DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTINUITY WAS INTACT. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE DEPARTED LANCASTER WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. AT FRESNO, THE PILOT ONLY LOOKED VISUALLY IN THE TANKS AND REPORTED THAT HE SAW 'ABOUT HALF FULL' TANKS, WHICH MATCHED WHAT THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED. THE PILOT DID NOT USE A MEASURING DEVICE DURING THE FUEL LEVEL CHECK AT FRESNO. THE HOBBS METER LOG REVEALED THAT THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT 3.5 ELAPSED HOURS FROM LANCASTER TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714FJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714FJ-1989-09-18), registration cancelled 1989-09-18, S/N 15079140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079140
- Airframe hours: 4061
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Drew, James D.
- Registered owner: O'Hare, Patrick M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1988, 16 hours before
- Departed: Q60, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: 1O3
- Airport: 103, Lodi, runway 8, 3,090 × 24 ft, asphalt

## 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: 111 total, 22 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 14 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 19880315005379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880315005379A), Mar 15, 1988: Cessna 150M, Lodi, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Stall landed in a vineyard and flipped over.

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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