# NTSB LAX94LA280: Cessna 150G, N3003S, Tucson, AZ, July 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1994, 07:48 local (14:48 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.059558, -111.419639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0596&lon=-111.4196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA280

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fuel system - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED WITH ABOUT 8 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL TO DO A SERIES OF TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS FOR AN HOUR IN THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA.  AFTER THE EIGHTH LANDING AND DURING THE CLIMB OUT, THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY AND THE LEFT WING TANK WAS DAMAGED WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

## Factual narrative

On July 11, 1994, at 0748 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 150G, N3003S, collided with the terrain after making a forced landing in a vacant field off the departure end of runway 6R at Ryan Field, Tucson, Arizona.  The student pilot experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff from a series of eight touch-and-go landings.  The aircraft was operated by Windwalker Aviation of Tucson.  The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight.

According to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors and the operator, the right fuel tank was found empty and the left fuel tank had about 10 gallons of fuel in it at the time of takeoff. The student pilot did not fuel the aircraft before the flight.  He estimated he had about 8 gallons of fuel for a 1 hour flight at 6 gallons per hour. The flight lasted about .9 hours and was conducted in the traffic pattern.

A mechanic at the airfield reported that the right fuel tank was empty and the left fuel tank was extensively damaged and had a small amount of fuel remaining.  He was not able to obtain an accurate measurement of the fuel remaining.  He also reported there was no evidence of fuel leakage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3003S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066903
- Airframe hours: 8985
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Windwalker  Aviation
- Registered owner: Michael E. Butterfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1994, 20 hours before
- Airport: RYN, Ryan, runway 6L, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 46 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TU

## 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 19940711018179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940711018179A), Jul 11, 1994: Cessna 150G, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Collided with terrain off end runway. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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