# NTSB LAX92LA406: Cessna 150B, N1104Y, Show Low, AZ, September 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1992, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Show Low, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.230976, -110.069572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2310&lon=-110.0696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA406
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA406

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST PICKED UP THE NEWLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT AFTER COMPLETION OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE PILOT SAID HE LOOKED INSIDE THE FUEL TANKS AND THOUGHT THEY WERE ABOUT HALF FULL. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT USE A DIP STICK OR OTHER MEASURING DEVICE TO QUANTIFY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE QUIT ABOUT 45 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT. VEHICLE TRAFFIC PRECLUDED THE PILOT LANDING ON A HIGHWAY AND HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CONFINED FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH JUNIPER TREES SHORT OF THE FIELD. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED FINDING NO FUEL IN THE LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL. THE CARBURETOR BOWL CONTAINED ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL. THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN ONLY 2.5 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1104Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1104Y-1992-11-27), registration cancelled 1992-11-27, S/N 15059504 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150B
- Registry model: [Cessna 150B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150b) (registry code 2071806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15059504
- Airframe hours: 4400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L. Evans
- Registered owner: Richard L. Evans
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1992, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 67 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920927038879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920927038879A), Sep 27, 1992: Cessna 150B, Show Low, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power. Crashed on forced landing. No useful fuel on board on short flight.

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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