# NTSB MIA95LA234: Cessna 150, N6080T, Sarasota, FL, September 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1995, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Location: 27.3383° N, 82.5437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sarasota, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3383&lon=-82.5437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA234

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING TOWING A BANNER FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS 45 MINUTES WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE DROPPED THE BANNER, AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A CAUSEWAY. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A LIGHT POLE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL.

## Factual narrative

On September 24, 1995, about 1425 eastern daylight time, N6080T, a Cessna 150, operated by Florida Aerial Ads Inc., crashed in Sarasota, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from Sarasota, about 2 hours 45 minutes earlier.

The pilot was completing his second banner flight and the engine lost power. He dropped the banner in the Intercoastal Waterway and executed a forced landing to a causeway. During the landing roll the right wing struck a light pole. Less than 1 gallon of fuel was found in the airplane fuel system after the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6080T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6080T-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 15060780, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60780
- Airframe hours: 6742
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Florida Aerial Ads Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 3, 1995, 93 hours before
- Departed: SRQ, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 380 total, 30 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 4 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 19950924030169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950924030169A), Sep 24, 1995: Cessna STC150, Sarasota, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on banner tow. Dropped banner. Landed on causeway. Wing struck a light pole. Fuel was depleted.

## Other investigations on N6080T (1)

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 ATL98LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA124), Sep 12, 1998: Cessna 150E (N6080T), Bradenton, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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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