# NTSB NYC91LA030: Cessna 150H, N23330, Freeport, PA, November 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1990, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Freeport, PA
- Coordinates: 40.680438, -79.680587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6804&lon=-79.6806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISCALCULATIONS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE AIRPLANE REQUIRED FOR THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS ON FINAL APPROACH. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY ON SLOPING TERRAIN BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER. THE FAA REPORTED AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FUEL DRAINED OUT OF THE WING TANKS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED POWER LOSS. THE PILOT REPORTED HE DEPARTED WITH THE FUEL TANKS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 FULL. HE MADE TWO TAKEOFFS AND FLEW FOR 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ENGINE LOOSING POWER. THE AIRPLANE HAS A TOTAL FUEL CAPACITY OF 26 GALLONS WITH 22.5 GALLONS USABLE AND 3.5 GALLONS UNUSABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23330), registered now, S/N 15068878, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068878
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward L. Adams
- Departed: DUJ, DUBOIS, PA
- Airport: G06, Mcville, runway 3, 2,300 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 128 total, 128 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19901118050969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901118050969A), Nov 18, 1990: Cessna 150H, Freeport, PA, Substantial damage. Left airport for another for cheaper fuel. Engine quit on final. Nosed over landing short. No engine defects found.

## Other investigations on N23330 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ERA26FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA309), Aug 19, 2026: Cessna 150 (N23330), Carlisle, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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