# NTSB LAX92LA113: Cessna 150M, N9312U, Tucson, AZ, February 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1992, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.150707, -110.929359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1507&lon=-110.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA113

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND HIS STUDENT DEPARTED THEIR HOME BASE TO A LOCAL NON CONTROLLED AIRPORT FOR SOME TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. DURING THE CLIMB OUT FROM THE ALTERNATE FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH HIGH VEGETATION AND TERRAIN. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE INITIAL TAKEOFF FROM THE HOME BASE AIRPORT WAS WITH 13 GALLONS OF FUEL. AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE ONE OF THE TWO PILOTS TOLD A WITNESS THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD RAN OUT OF FUEL. FAA INSPECTORS CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN FACT OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9312U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9312U-1998-05-01), registration cancelled 1998-05-01, S/N 15078262 (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: 15078262
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Leading Edge Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Leading Edge Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 3, 1992, 9 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,200 total, 310 in this make and model, 864 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920209002369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920209002369A), Feb 9, 1992: Cessna 150M, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in rough desert terrain. Had departed minimum fuel. Fuel tanks found empty.

## Other investigations on N9312U (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 LAX91LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA049), Dec 4, 1990: Cessna 150 (N9312U), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: ONE OR MORE OF THE F-16 PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THROTTLES BEFORE BEING CLEARED FOR TAKE OFF.

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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