# NTSB MIA96LA023: Cessna 150, N61040, Saltillo, MS, November 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1995, 09:38 local (15:38 UTC)
- Place: Saltillo, MS
- Coordinates: 34.380065, -88.680671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3801&lon=-88.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA023

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM FUEL COMSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BEFORE AND DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FERRYING THE AIRPLANE AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER NINE MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED ON LANDING ROLL. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED ONE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE OTHER HAD ABOUT 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE NOR SIPHONING WAS FOUND. THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT WAS ABOUT 3 HOURS 33 MINUTES.

## Factual narrative

On November 13, 1995, about 0938 central standard time, N61040, a Cessna 150, crashed in a field near Saltillo, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Knoxville, Tennessee, about 3 hours 33 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated his destination was Tupelo, Mississippi, and while in cruise the engine lost total power. He initiated a forced landing to a field and during the landing roll the nose gear collapsed, damaging the firewall. Examination of the airplane by FAA personnel revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank had less than a gallon of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel leakage nor siphoning.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61040](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61040-2002-03-04), registration cancelled 2002-03-04, S/N 15070757, 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: 150-23452
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Demchuk
- Registered owner: Craig E. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Destination: TUP, TUPELO, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 486 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 9 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 19951113045869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951113045869A), Nov 13, 1995: Cessna 150J, Saltillo, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed in a rough field collapsing nose gear and bending firewall. No useable fuel in tank.

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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