LAX96LA266

The aircraft was modified with a 180-hp Lycoming O-360 engine and a Cessna 172 fuel system (tanks, fuel vents, and fuel selector valve.) Each wing tank holds 20 usable gallons; total fuel capacity 40 gallons. The pilot this was the first flight in this aircraft, and her first solo banner tow flight. Her prior flight experience was gained primarily in a Cessna 210 and North American T-28. The pilot reported that she had returned to the airport after a 3-hour mission and entered the traffic pattern to drop the banner. The engine quit on downwind. The pilot dropped the banner and attempted to make the runway, but landed about 30 feet short in the dirt and nosed over in soft soil. The pilot stated that following the engine failure she lowered full flaps. The pilot reported that she had been feeding off the right tank during the last 40 minutes or so of the flight and may have forgotten to reposition the selector to the both position before entering the traffic pattern and inadvertently ran one tank dry. The pilot noted that this aircraft has a fuel system significantly different from the other banner towing aircraft in the operator's fleet that she flew in during the dual banner towing training flights. She said she repeatedly asked the operator for a manual on the aircraft to learn the system differences but was told that one was not available. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and found no fuel in the right tank and about 13 gallons in the left. An engine test was subsequently run using the aircrafts fuel and ignition systems; the engine started on the first attempt and ran normally.

On July 7, 1996, at 1441 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N50814, nosed over after landing short of runway 21 at the Chino, California, airport. The undershoot was precipitated by a loss of power in the pattern. The aircraft was operated by Tom King Aerial Enterprises, Inc., of Chino, and was engaged in banner towing operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Chino on the morning of the accident at 1130 to tow a banner around the greater Los Angeles area.

The owner of the company which operates the aircraft said it is heavily modified with the installation of a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine, and a Cessna 172 fuel system to include tanks, fuel vents, and fuel selector valve. Each wing tank holds 20 usable gallons for a total fuel capacity of 40 gallons. Based upon his experience with the aircraft, the 3-hour flight would consume about 32 gallons, leaving 8 in the tanks at landing. The fuel selector should be on the BOTH position for takeoffs and landings.

The pilot said the accident flight was the first one in this aircraft (Cessna 150 type) and her first solo banner tow flight. Her prior flight experience was gained primarily in a family owned Cessna 210 and North American T-28. The pilot reported that she returned to the airport after a 3-hour mission and entered the traffic pattern to drop the banner. Without warning, the engine quit on downwind. The pilot dropped the banner and attempted to make the runway, but landed about 30 feet short in the dirt and the aircraft nosed over after encountering soft soil. The pilot stated that following the engine failure she lowered full flaps. She noted that she had been feeding off the right tank during the last 40 minutes or so of the flight and may have forgotten to reposition the selector to the both position before entering the traffic pattern and inadvertently ran one tank dry.

The pilot stated that this aircraft has a fuel system significantly different from the other banner towing aircraft in the operator's fleet that she flew in during the dual banner towing training flights. She said she repeatedly asked the operator for a manual on the aircraft to learn the system differences but was told that one was not available. She said the operator told her to plan on a fuel consumption of 7 gallons per hour and use the BOTH fuel selector position for takeoff and landing.

An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office, examined the aircraft after the accident and found zero fuel in the right tank and about 13 gallons in the left. The inspector supervised an engine test run on July 12, 1996, for the Safety Board. Prior to the run attempt, the aircraft was hosed off with water to remove mud and dirt from the engine compartment. Using the aircraft fuel and ignition systems, the engine started on the first attempt and ran normally. A second engine start attempt was tried and the engine failed to start. Water was found in the magnetos during subsequent investigation and the water was blown out using compressed air. Following this, the engine started immediately on the next start attempt and ran normally.