# NTSB LAX90LA327: Cessna 150L, N10797, Palm Springs, CA, September 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1990, 19:15 local (Sep 21, 1990, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.850105, -116.559867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8501&lon=-116.5599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA327

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATION, AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PILOT PLANNED TO PRACTICE FLYING USING INSTRUMENTS, AND HE HAD A SAFETY PILOT ACCOMPANY HIM. DURING THE FLIGHT ALL ENGINE POWER WAS LOST AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO MAKE THE AIRPORT, SO HE LANDED NEARBY ON DESSERT TERRAIN. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A BERM. THE PLOT SUBSEQUENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF 'FUEL STARVATION.' THE PILOT HAD 57 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE CESSNA AIRPLANE, AND HE HAD BEEN A CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT FOR TWO MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10797](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10797-1996-08-28), registration cancelled 1996-08-28, S/N 15075048 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075048
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Precision Techniques
- Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 95 total, 57 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900920041249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900920041249A), Sep 20, 1990: Cessna 150L, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Practice instrument flight with safety pilot. Ran out of fuel on approach to airport. Was landing to obtain fuel.

## Other investigations on N10797 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA94LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA073), Feb 14, 1994: Cessna 150L (N10797), Ocean Springs, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

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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