# NTSB MIA89LA223: Cessna 150, N60847, Fort Pierce, FL, August 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1989, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4957° N, 80.3888° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from TREASURE COAST INTL (FPR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4957&lon=-80.3888&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA223

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  THE TERRAIN (ROUGH/UNEVEN) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RTRNG FROM A X-COUNTRY FLT, WHEN HE ADVISED TOWER PSNL THAT HE 'JUST RAN OUT OF FUEL & WILL BE LANDING JUST SHORT OF THE RUWAY.'  RPRTDLY, THERE WAS AN AGRICULTURAL GROVE IN THAT AREA.  THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE LANDED IN A DRAINAGE 'CANAL' TO AVOID A 'HUT IN THE GROVE.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60847](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60847-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 15070616, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- 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: 15070616
- Airframe hours: 4374
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aeronauctical Academy, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1989, 94 hours before
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL
- Destination: FPR
- Airport: FPR, St Lucie County, runway 9, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,149 total, 500 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR

## 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 19890815029889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890815029889A), Aug 15, 1989: Cessna 150J, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to airport. Landed in a canal.

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.

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