# NTSB MKC87LA023: Cessna 150J, N60046, Colby, KS, November 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1986, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Colby, KS
- Coordinates: 39.380126, -101.039672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3801&lon=-101.0397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,tank - low level (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DEPARTED HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, LOW ON FUEL, INTENDING TO REFUEL AT THE NEXT STOP WHERE HE WAS TO CONDUCT A BUSINESS TRANSACTION.  UNABLE TO SECURE FUEL THERE, AND SHOWING ONE QUARTER OF A TANK ON EACH FUEL GAUGE, HE DEPARTED FOR COLBY KANSAS, OVERFLYING HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP IN THE PROCESS. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL FIVE MILE EAST OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPPORT. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER UPON ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60046](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60046-1990-08-13), registration cancelled 1990-08-13, S/N 15070032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070032
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Popp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 15, 1986
- Departed: HLC, HILL CITY, KS
- Destination: CBK, COLBY, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 250 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLD, 35 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 19861125064139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861125064139A), Nov 25, 1986: Cessna 150J, Colby, KS, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over on landing after fuel was exhausted. The pilot made two unsuccessful stops to fuel aircraft

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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