# NTSB LAX97LA186: Cessna 150, N19315, Groveland, CA, May 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1997, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Groveland, CA - Coordinates: 38.109947, -120.379493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1099&lon=-120.3795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29793/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA186 ## Probable cause was fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the lack of preflight review by the student's flight instructor and training. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate initial training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The student pilot was on an endorsed solo cross-country flight and made an unplanned stop en-route. He did not refuel at the stop. According to the Hobbs recording hour meter he had operated the airplane for 4 hours. Upon arriving at his destination he attempted a go-around during which the engine failed. The operator/instructor stated that he had run the airplane out of fuel. The pilot operator handbook gives an endurance of 4.1 hours at 75 percent power and 7,000 feet for the installed fuel system. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1997, about 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150, N19315, operated by Hi Desert Flight Center of Victorville, California, was destroyed during a go-around at Groveland, California. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Victorville on the morning of the accident as an endorsed student pilot solo cross-country flight. According to the student pilot, the engine failed during the go-around from runway 09 at Groveland. The operator stated that the Hobbs recording hour meter indicated 278.7 hours at departure. At the accident site the hour meter indicated 282.7 hours, or 4 hours of operation. According to the performance specifications listed in the pilot operator handbook for this airplane, the cruise range at 75 percent power at 7,000 feet with 22.5 gallons had an endurance of 4.1 hours. This airplane holds 26 gallons with 22.5 usable. According to the operator/instructor, the pilot ran the airplane out of fuel. The planned route of flight had been from Victorville, Palmdale, Bakersfield, Friant, to Groveland. The student had made an unplanned restroom stop at Porterville, but did not add fuel. The accident report was received completed, but unsigned, and listed a departure time from Victorville as 1100. Neither the student nor the operator/instructor could recall exactly when the airplane departed Victorville. Initial requests of the operator/instructor for the student's actual takeoff time and preflight planning information was not available. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19315](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19315), registered now, S/N 15074331 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15074331 - Airframe hours: 2871 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hi Desert Flight Center - Registered owner: Angela Boylan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997, 97 hours before - Departed: VCV, VICTORVILLE, CA - Destination: Q68, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 13 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KMO ## 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 19970520045759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970520045759A), May 20, 1997: Cessna 150L, Groveland, CA, Destroyed. (.4) The student pilot was on an endorsed solo cross-country flight and made an unplanned stop en-route. He did not refuel at the stop. According to the hobbs… 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.