# NTSB MIA07CA064: Cessna 150, N704HF, Okeechobee, FL, March 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 24, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Okeechobee, FL - Coordinates: 27.2627777777778, -80.8497222222222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2628&lon=-80.8497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando Fsdo - NTSB case key (mKey): 65461 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65461/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA064 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a loss of engine power during final approach, and a collision with a ditch. ## 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 - final approach - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot stated that 9.5 gallons of fuel was onboard the airplane before takeoff. He cruised at an altitude of 3,500 mean sea level, for a flight of about 51 nautical miles, with an indicated airspeed of 110 knots. During final approach, about 250 feet above ground level, the airplane had a loss of engine power, and the pilot elected to land on the grass prior to the runway. The airplane impacted a ditch about 255 feet from the runway's threshold, and become airborne again. The nose gear bent, and the bottom cowling was damaged before it came to a stop. A person from the airport with a tractor assisted in towing the airplane into a hanger. As the airplane was towed, the pilot said he noticed fuel leaking from the airplane, and reached inside the cabin and turned the fuel selector valve off. The person who assisted the pilot stated to the airport manager that he did not see any fuel leaking during the recovery process, and confirmed with the pilot that the fuel selector valve was in the off position before the airplane was moved. The FAA inspector that conducted the postaccident examination drained 1.25 gallons of fuel from each wing tank, for a total of 2.5 gallons. The airplane's unusable fuel is 3.5 gallons. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he completed a preflight and noted the airplane had 50 minutes worth of fuel. He arranged to have 4 more gallons of fuel added, which brought a total of 9.5 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane. He took a direct heading to Okeechobee after departure, cruising at 3,500 means sea level. The flight distance was about 51nactical miles with about 12 to 18 knots, northeast wind condition, giving an indication of 110 knots. He elected to land on runway 5 and was second to land, following another airplane in the downwind. During final, at about 250 feet above ground level, the airplane had a loss of engine power. He verified the engine controls; however, he had no time for an engine restart at the attitude the airplane was at. He elected to land on the grass prior to the runway. The airplane impacted with a 10 foot wide ditch about 255 feet from the runway's threshold and become airborne again. The nose gear bent and the bottom cowling was damaged before it came to a stop. He exited the airplane after securing the master switch and the magnetos. A gentleman from the airport came over with a tractor and assisted him in towing the airplane into a hanger. As the airplane was towed, he noticed fuel leaking from the airplane. He reached inside the cabin area and turned the fuel selector valve off. This was about 35-40 minutes after the incident occurred. The person who assisted the pilot in recovery of the airplane from the accident site stated to the airport manager that he did not observe any fuel leaking from the airplane during the recovery process. He confirmed with the pilot that the fuel selector valve was in the off position before the airplane was moved. The FAA inspector that conducted the post accident examination of the airplane stated he drained 1.25 gallons of fuel from each wing tank. A total of 2.5 gallons of fuel was collected. The airplane's unusable fuel is 3.5 gallons as noted in the airplane's Type Certificate Data Sheet, 3A19. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704HF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N704HF), registered now, S/N 15078618 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078618 - Airframe hours: 7883 - Engines: Continental 0-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert S. Varney - Registered owner: Robert S. Varney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006, 67.7 hours before - Departed: KMLB, MELBOURNE, FL - Destination: KOBE, OKEECHOBEE, FL - Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County, runway 050, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 311 total, 129 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 14 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KOBE 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.