# NTSB MIA90LA156: Cessna 150, N8761S, Jensen Beach, FL, July 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1990, 20:17 local (Jul 21, 1990, 00:17 UTC)
- Place: Jensen Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.230131, -80.229354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2301&lon=-80.2294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA156

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO IMPROPER PLANNING BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - other (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8761S-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 15062061, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062061
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900720027749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900720027749A), Jul 20, 1990: Cessna 150F, Jensen Beach, FL, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel en route. Stalled and crashed trying to land on a road.

## Other investigations on N8761S (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW68F0333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0333), Nov 11, 1967: Cessna 150 (N8761S), Bethany, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW66F0339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0339), Oct 9, 1965: Cessna 150 (N8761S), Oklahoma Cty, OK, substantial damage

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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