# NTSB LAX89LA200: Cessna 150L, N18515, Bakersfield, CA, May 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.539608, -118.91085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5396&lon=-118.9108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA200

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY PLAN FOR THE FLIGHT IN THAT HE DID NOT CALCULATE THE FUEL CONSUMPTION ACCURATELY, FAILED TO PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE FUEL RESERVES, AND ALSO FAILED TO LAND AT AIRPORTS SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION EVEN THOUGH HE WAS AWARE OF HIS LOW FUEL STATE.

## 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
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHILE ON APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF GALLONS REMAINED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT. DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ESTIMATED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE HALF FULL ON DEPARTURE AND THAT HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS ENROUTE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF A LOW FUEL STATE BUT ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18515](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18515-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 15073906, 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: 15073906
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grieves, Bruce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IYK, INYOKERN, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 13 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890521012379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521012379A), May 21, 1989: Cessna 150L, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Approaching destination ran out of fuel. Struck a fence and a house on landing. Student had a passenger on board.

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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