# NTSB NYC89LA049: Cessna 150L, N6538G, Greenwich, CT, December 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1988, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenwich, CT
- Location: 41.0278° N, 73.6269° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenwich, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0278&lon=-73.6269&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA049

## Probable cause

TREES DURING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING AFTER THE AIRCRAFT EXPERERIENCED A POWER LOSS FUE TO FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A TRAFFIC WATCH FLIGHT WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE ON A GOLF COURSE AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION FAILED TO FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE. DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REFUELED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO VERIFICATION THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN TOPPED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED EMPTY AND THE PILOT HAD INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES STARTED TO DROP SOONER THAN EXPECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6538G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6538G-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15072038, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072038
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Brooksfield Aviation
- Registered owner: Ronald G Denison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: BDR, STRATFORD, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 48 in this make and model, 232 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19881212054039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881212054039A), Dec 12, 1988: Cessna 150L, White Plains, NY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during a traffic watch flight. Struck trees on the forced landing.

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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