LAX95LA034

The flight instructor and his dual primary student were completing a cross-country flight and in the process of letting down for pattern entry at El Monte when the engine lost power. The flight instructor attempted to make a night forced landing in a dry riverbed and collided with ground obstructions during touchdown. The aircraft was examined at the accident site by a safety board investigator. Complete fuel system continuity was established with no evidence of line or tank leakage. The fuel tank vent system was not blocked and no evidence of fuel siphoning was observed on the upper surfaces of the wings. Only residual fuel was found in the fuel system.

On November 13, 1994, at 1850 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150K, N6110K, collided with ground obstructions in a dry reservoir during a forced landing near El Monte, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power while the flight was letting down for entry into the traffic pattern at the El Monte airport. The aircraft was operated by Valley Flight Center, El Monte, California, and was on a dual primary instructional cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor and his dual primary student sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at the El Monte airport on the day of the accident at 1000 and made en route stops at Sandy Valley and Las Vegas, Nevada.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigator was near the accident site, responded to the scene, and examined the aircraft. Complete fuel system continuity was established with no evidence of line or tank leakage. The fuel tank vent system was not blocked and no evidence of fuel siphoning was observed on the upper surfaces of the wings. Only residual fuel was found in the fuel system.