# NTSB NYC82DA173: Cessna 150L, N11457, Shapleigh, ME, June 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1982, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Shapleigh, ME
- Location: 43.5406° N, 70.8481° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shapleigh, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5406&lon=-70.8481&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM JACKMAN, ME TO ROCHESTER, NH AND RETURN. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, THE FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF. DURING THE PREFLIGHT, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE WAS FOUND TO BE "PINNED" AT THE FULL POSITION AND WAS INOPERATIVE. AFTER LANDING AT ROCHESTER, THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON THE RETURN FLIGHT WITHOUT REFUELING. AT THAT TIME, HE NOTED THAT THE OPERATING (RIGHT) FUEL GAUGE WAS INDICATING AT LEAST HALF FULL. WHILE EN ROUTE IN THE VICINITY OF SEBAGO LAKE, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE REMAINING GAUGE WAS QUICKLY BECOMING LOW. HE CHANGED COURSE TO LAND AT SANFORD, ME. BEFORE REACHING SANFORD, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER ABOUT 3.7 HRS OF FLIGHT TIME. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A SMALL FIELD WITH TREES AND WIRES AT THE NEAR END, BUT WAS UNABLE. HE THEN AIMED THE AIRCRAFT BETWEEN ROWS OF TREES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE WINGS COLLIDED WITH TREE TRUNKS AT ABOUT 18 FT AGL. THE PILOT STATED HE FIGURED THE FUEL CONSUMPTION WOULD BE 4 TO 4.3 GAL/HR. THE ACTUAL CONSUMPTION WAS ABOUT 6 GAL/HR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11457](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11457-1984-10-03), registration cancelled 1984-10-03, S/N 15075436 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075436
- Airframe hours: 4101
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: University Of N.H. Flying Club
- Registered owner: University Of N.H. Flying Club
- Departed: ROCHESTER, NH
- Destination: JACKMAN, ME
- Airport: 59B, Jackman

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 112 total, 87 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19820627039499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820627039499A), Jun 27, 1982: Cessna 150L, Shapleigh, ME, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel enroute. Overshot small field and hit trees at FAR end on forced landing. Misjudged fuel use.

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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