# NTSB LAX93LA221: Cessna 150E, N3051J, Hollister, CA, May 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1993, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.889453, -121.240928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8895&lon=-121.2409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA221

## 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(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

In a verbal statement to FAA inspectors, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight the engine began to run rough then it quit altogether. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a farm field and collided with a ditch at the field boundary during the landing roll. An FAA Airworthiness Inspector examined the aircraft. He reported that fuel system continuity was established throughout the aircraft. During the examination, the FAA inspector found only one pint of fuel in the entire fuel system.

## Factual narrative

On May 23, 1993, at about 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N3051J, collided with a ditch while performing a forced landing in a farm field near Hollister, California.  The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power.  The aircraft was operated by Richard C. Kirkham of Hollister.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage; however, the certificated private pilot was not injured.  The flight originated at the Hollister municipal airport on the day of the mishap at about 1300 hours and proceeded to Watsonville, California, for touch and go landings and was returning to Hollister when the accident occurred.

In a verbal statement to FAA personnel, the pilot reported that he was in cruise when the engine began to run rough, then quit.  He landed in a farm field and collided with a ditch at the field boundary.  An FAA airworthiness inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the scene and examined the aircraft.  He reported finding only about one quart of fuel in the aircraft fuel system.  No system leaks were identified.

The pilot did not submit a written aircraft accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) nor provide any additional verbal information on the accident circumstances.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3051J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3051J-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 15061151, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061115
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard C. Kirkham
- Registered owner: William S. Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 17 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 19930523014749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930523014749A), May 23, 1993: Cessna 150E, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Collided with ditch on forced landing. No useable fuel on board.

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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