# NTSB LAX95LA034: Cessna 150K, N6110K, El Monte, CA, November 14, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 1994, 18:50 local (Nov 14, 1994, 02:50 UTC) - Place: El Monte, CA - Coordinates: 34.090618, -117.959579 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0906&lon=-117.9596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28980 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28980/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=28980 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA034 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion due to the failure of both pilots to ensure that an adequate supply was on board 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, descent - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, flightcrew (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - light condition - bright night - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6110K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6110K-1995-08-09), registration cancelled 1995-08-09, S/N 15077531 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15077531 - Airframe hours: 4764 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Valley Flight Center - Registered owner: Jeffrey D. Dahl - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1994, 81 hours before - Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV - Destination: EMT, CA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,100 total, 250 in this make and model, 987 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: calm - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EMT, 5 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 19941113038189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941113038189A), Nov 13, 1994: Cessna 150K, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach to airport from a cross country flight. Collided with obstructions in dry wash. Fuel empty. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 1995, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=28980. 916 KB in all. - Supplement E (item 1, .PDF, 463 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20E-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 2, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.