# NTSB LAX96LA266: Cessna 150J, N50814, Chino, CA, July 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1996, 14:41 local (21:41 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 34.000595, -117.680824 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0006&lon=-117.6808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29502/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA266 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to monitor and correctly configure the fuel system for landing prior to entering the traffic pattern, and the pilot's premature lowering of full flaps which led to the runway undershoot. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the type of operation and in this highly modified aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - lowering of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50814](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50814-2010-04-01), registration cancelled 2010-04-01, S/N 15069569, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069569 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Tom King Aerial Enterprises - Registered owner: Harold G. Spencer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1996, 42 hours before - Departed: CNO - Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 21, 6,032 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 3 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CNO ## 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 19960707016409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960707016409A), Jul 7, 1996: Cessna STC150, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit downwind for landing. Dropped banner. Landed short. Nosed over. Selector on empty tank instead of both. ## Other investigations on N50814 (4) 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. - [NTSB LAX07LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA067), Dec 31, 2006: Cessna 150J (N50814), San Diego, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the throttle and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/spin. - [NTSB LAX76DUG68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DUG68), Aug 21, 1976: Cessna 150J (N50814), El Monte, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX73AL052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73AL052), May 1, 1973: Cessna 150 (N50814), Pacoima, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX70IL068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70IL068), Apr 25, 1970: Cessna 150J (N50814), Pacoima, CA, incident, minor damage 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.