# NTSB LAX90LA086: Cessna 150L, N1272Q, Bullhead City, AZ, February 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1990, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Bullhead City, AZ
- Location: 35.1478° N, 114.5683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bullhead City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1478&lon=-114.5683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA086

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISCALCULATION OF THE FUEL REMAINING, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT RAN OUT OF GAS 10 MILES SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION. THE PILOT DEPARTED HIS LAST STOP WITH LESS THAN 1/4 FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANKS. HE BELIEVED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT AND OVERFLEW AN AIRSTRIP WHEN HE BEGAN HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE PILOT REPORTED STRONG, GUSTY HEADWINDS FOR THE FLIGHT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1272Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1272Q-2001-10-15), registration cancelled 2001-10-15, S/N 15072572, built 1971 (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: 15072572
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Braun Aviation
- Departed: P20, PARKER, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 34 total, 31 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900210001839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900210001839A), Feb 10, 1990: Cessna 150L, Bullhead City, AZ, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on crosscountry. Departed with low fuel status and encountered strong headwinds.

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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