# NTSB LAX91LA023: Cessna 150G, N4687X, Columbia, CA, November 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1990, 17:00 local (Nov 3, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109645, -120.379112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1096&lon=-120.3791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA023

## Probable cause

POOR PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE DAMAGED AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND BY TOULUMNE COUNTY OFFICERS ABANDONED IN A FIELD ABOUT TWO MILES SOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA AIRPORT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT TANKS. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT AND HAS NOT RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY EITHER THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THE FAA, OR THE NTSB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4687X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4687X-1994-06-27), registration cancelled 1994-06-27, S/N 15064737 (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: 15064737
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tommy J. Rau
- Registered owner: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 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 19901102048609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901102048609A), Nov 2, 1990: Cessna 150G, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. Student ran out of fuel near airport on a solo crosscountry and abandoned the aircraft.

## Other investigations on N4687X (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 OAK72AP012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP012), Oct 25, 1971: Cessna 150 (N4687X), Franklin, CA, substantial damage

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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