# NTSB LAX97LA278: Cessna 150G, N3084S, Palos Verdes, CA, August 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1997, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Palos Verdes, CA - Coordinates: 33.770732, -118.340576 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7707&lon=-118.3406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29866/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA278 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the aircraft's fuel supply. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The aircraft had been modified with installation of: 1) a Lycoming O-360 engine; 2) an 18-gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the baggage compartment; and 3) a Cessna 172 type main fuel selector capable of selecting right, left, both, and off positions. The auxiliary tank was plumbed to pump fuel through an electric pump and an on-off fuel valve into the right wing tank. The fuel quantity sending unit was wired through a toggle switch to the right wing tank fuel gage; the switch could select either the right wing or auxiliary tank for gage display. The fuel system operating procedures specify that the pilot is to use fuel from the right wing tank first for 1 hour, then transfer fuel from the auxiliary tank. The pilot reported that after picking up the banner he climbed on a westerly heading on both tanks. Approximately 15 minutes later, the pilot switched to the right tank. He reported that 1 1/2 hour later he switched to the auxiliary tank. The right tank fuel gage read 1/4 full. At this point the engine stopped, and he switched back to both tanks in an attempt to restart the engine. The pilot reported that the attempted engine restart was unsuccessful and he had to ditch the aircraft in the ocean. After the aircraft was recovered, 2 gallons of fuel were drained from right tank, and 18-20 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank. In a verbal statement to FAA inspectors, the pilot reported that he forgot to switch the fuel selector. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1997, at 1335 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3084S, lost engine power and the pilot subsequently ditched the aircraft in the Pacific Ocean off Point Vicentes, Palos Verdes, California. The airplane, owned and operated by Tom King Aviation, sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the banner towing operation. The flight originated from the Chino, California, airport at 1145, and no flight plan was filed. Review of the aircraft records disclosed that it had been modified, in part, with installation of: 1) a Lycoming O-360 engine; 2) an 18-gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the baggage compartment; and 3) a Cessna 172 type main fuel selector capable of selecting right, left, both, and off positions. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Form 337 (Major Repair and Alteration), the auxiliary tank was plumbed to pump fuel through an electric pump and an on-off fuel valve into the right wing tank. The fuel quantity sending unit was wired through a toggle switch to the right wing tank fuel gage; the switch could select either the right wing or auxiliary tank for gage display. Review of the system operating procedures specified in Form 337 disclosed that the pilot is to use fuel from the right wing tank first for 1 hour, then transfer fuel from the auxiliary tank. The pilot reported that after picking up the banner he climbed on a westerly heading on both tanks. Approximately 15 minutes later the pilot switched to the right tank. He reported that 1 1/2 hours later he switched to the auxiliary tank. The right tank fuel gage read 1/4 full. At this point the engine stopped, and he switched back to both tanks in an attempt to restart the engine. The pilot reported that the attempted engine restart was unsuccessful and he had to ditch the aircraft in the ocean. The pilot stated that after the aircraft was recovered, 2 gallons of fuel were drained from right tank, and 18-20 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank. The pilot stated that in his opinion the reason the engine stopped was due to, ". . . fuel exhaustion of useable fuel in right tank." In a verbal statement to FAA inspectors, the pilot reported that he forgot to switch the fuel selector. Following recovery of the aircraft, the engine was cleaned up, then started for a test run. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the aircraft or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3084S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3084S), registered now, S/N 15066984, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066984 - Airframe hours: 3421 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Tom King Aerial Enterprises - Registered owner: Tom King Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1996, 120 hours before - Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970809021499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970809021499A), Aug 9, 1997: Cessna 150G, Palo Verde, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was towing a banner when engine reportedly failed, aircraft crashed into 25FT of water. 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.