- Date
- July 20, 1990, 20:17 local (Jul 21, 1990, 00:17 UTC)
- Place
- Jensen Beach, FL
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N8761SCessna 150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 15, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19900720027749A
- Case key
- 32683
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Fuel exhaustion due to improper planning by the pilot.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The plt stated that while he was in a VFR descent for landing, passing through 1400 feet AGL the airplane experienced total loss of engine power. Engine restart was initiated with negative results. Inspection of the fuel guages by plt indicated left fuel tank was empty, and right fuel tank indicated 1/8 tank. Plt stated there was insufficient altitude to land at the airfield. Emergency landing was made on a dike. To clear barriers on final approach, the plt applied aft pressure on the flight controls. The airplane stalled and collided with the ground. The airplane was destroyed. The plt received minor injuries. Inspection of the airplane by the registered owner revealed the fuel tanks were empty and not ruptured. The hobbs meter indicated the airplane had been operated for 4.0 hours. The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge and law enforcement personnel that he experienced fuel exhaustion after encountering strong headwinds.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8761S
- Reported as
- Cessna 150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15062061
- Engine
- Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Treasure Coast Flight Academy
- Registered owner
- Treasure Coast Flight Academy
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- LEE · Leesburg, FL
- Destination
- SUA · Stuart, FL
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 27
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 132 total · 19 in this make and model · 43 as pilot in command · 114 in the last 90 days · 45 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PBI, 350 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N8761S · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.