# NTSB LAX92LA243: Cessna 150, N6972G, Tucson, AZ, June 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1992, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149997, -110.929794 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1500&lon=-110.9298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA243

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW V.F.R. PROCEDURES; INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPERATION; AND IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS 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 (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHEN RETURNING FROM A ROUND-ROBIN FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL THAT THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ABOUT 25 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED.  THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 27 DEGREES ABOVE STANDARD. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE CONTAINED LESS THAN THE UNUSABLE AMOUNT OF FUEL.  FUEL CALCULATIONS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRPLANE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THE FLIGHT WITH ABOUT 1.3 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING, SHORT OF THE REQUIRED FUEL RESERVES.  THESE CALCULATIONS WERE BASED ON THE PILOT'S STATEMENT REGARDING THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AND THAT HIS CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND FUEL LEANING PROCEDURES WERE PROPER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6972G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6972G-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 15072472, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- 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: 213352
- Airframe hours: 3887
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Double Eagle Aviation
- Registered owner: Gregory, George T. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1992, 91 hours before
- Departed: SJN, ST. JOHNS, AZ
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 237 total, 8 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 3 nm away

## 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 19920612020009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920612020009A), Jun 12, 1992: Cessna 150L, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Right wing severed by cactus tree while landing on a road due to power loss. Fuel tanks empty of usable fuel.

## Other investigations on N6972G (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 FTW71DRH09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DRH09), Apr 6, 1971: Cessna 150L (N6972G), Georgetown, TX, 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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