# NTSB LAX92LA180: Cessna 150, N6582G, Mesquite, NV, April 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1992, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Mesquite, NV
- Location: 36.8055° N, 114.0672° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesquite, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8055&lon=-114.0672&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.  FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING THE SECOND LEG OF A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT SINCE THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN WAS UNSUITABLE FOR AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING.  BEFORE REACHING THE PRIVATELY OWNED AIRPORT, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED ABOUT THREE AND A HALF GALLONS OF FUEL.  THE PILOT HAD MADE AN UNPLANNED LANDING AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT BEFORE CONTINUING TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.  HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TOTAL USEABLE FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT AND TOLD FAA INSPECTORS THAT THE TOTAL PLANNED DISTANCE WAS 220 MILES; THE ACTUAL DISTANCE WAS 264 MILES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6582G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6582G-1993-09-30), registration cancelled 1993-09-30, S/N 15072082 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150722082
- Airframe hours: 5978
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roberti, Michael, doing business as Arizona Aviation Flying Club
- Registered owner: Roberti, Michael
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 8, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 145 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19920419018889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920419018889A), Apr 19, 1992: Cessna 150L, Mesquite, NV, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed in rough terrain. Pilot miscalculated both usable fuel and distance to destination

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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