# NTSB MIA97LA054: Cessna 150K, N5813G, Daytona Beach, FL, January 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 1, 1997, 13:41 local (18:41 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.190402, -81.049377 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1904&lon=-81.0494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38198/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA054 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure there was sufficient fuel for continued flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision with objects (concrete blocks) during a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: a partially inoperative fuel gauge, which provided a false fuel indication, and the pilot's operation of the airplane with the known deficiency. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing ## Analysis Before the first of several legs of flight, the pilot used a wooden stick to confirm the fuel quantity, since one of the fuel gauges was inoperative. He then departed, performed airwork, and continued to a landmark, where a flyby was performed. The pilot landed at an airport, remained a short time, then during the preflight, he noted that the fuel quantity indicated about 1/2. The flight departed, and the pilot flew to another airport, and performed a full stop landing with taxiback. He then departed on a return flight to the original departure airport, where he performed two touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff roll of the third touch-and-go, the pilot noted that the engine was not producing full power; however, with insufficient runway remaining to stop, he elected to continue. About 200 feet above ground level, the engine coughed, then the propeller stopped. Subsequently, the airplane collided with concrete blocks during a forced landing. The pilot stated to a police officer that he believed the engine quit because he ran out of fuel. Postcrash examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed 3.0 gallons of fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. According to the airplane type certificate data sheet, the unusable fuel quantity was 3.5 gallons. Following recovery of the airplane, the engine was started, and it operated to 750 rpm. Impact damage precluded operating the engine to a higher rpm. ## Factual narrative On January 1, 1997, about 1341 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150K, N5813G, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near the Daytona Beach Regional Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 1 minute earlier from the Daytona Beach Airport. The pilot stated that before departure he was aware that one of the fuel gauges was inoperative and during the preflight of the airplane he used a wooden stick that was labeled half and full. Before departure on the first leg the fuel tanks were slightly less than full. The flight departed, performed airwork, then flew south to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) where a fly-by was performed. The flight continued south of the KSC and performed a full stop landing at an airport. Before departure the pilot checked the fuel tanks using the stick and it indicated 1/2. The flight departed and he performed a full stop landing with taxi back at another airport then continued to the Daytona Beach Airport. He performed two touch-and-go landings then during the landing roll of the third, after applying power to go around, he recognized that the engine was not developing full power. With insufficient runway remaining, he elected to continue and about 200 feet above ground level, the engine began coughing and the propeller stopped. With obstructions ahead the pilot intentionally stalled the airplane which collided with concrete blocks. He further stated to a police officer that the engine may have quit because he ran out of fuel. The airplane was examined the following day by an FAA airworthiness inspector who stated that when he arrived, the airplane was in the process of being dismantled. The non-ruptured fuel tanks were drained and found to contain 3.0 gallons of fuel. According to the airplane type certificate data sheet, the total unusable fuel quantity is 3.5 gallons. Following recovery of the airplane the engine was started and operated to about 750 rpm. Impact damage prevented engine operation to full rated rpm. No discrepancies were noted during the engine run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5813G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5813G-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 15071313, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150K - Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071313 - Airframe hours: 4609 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Beck - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 7, 1996, 70 hours before - Departed: DAB - Destination: DAB - Airport: DAB, Daytona Beach Int'L, runway 7R, 3,197 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 3 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 1 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 19970101000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970101000059A), Jan 1, 1997: Cessna 150K, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft was in touch and go pattern, pilot declared emergency, cleared to land on any runway, crashed short. (.4)before the first of several legs of flight,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.