# NTSB NYC92LA134: Cessna 150L, N6849G, Bethel Park, PA, June 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Bethel Park, PA
- Coordinates: 40.319099, -80.030006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3191&lon=-80.0300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA134

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THE FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE AN IMPROPERLY READING RIGHT FUEL GAUGE, AND AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED CARBURETOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command
  - fuel system,carburetor float - improper (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - improper (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT.  HE REPORTED THE FUEL GAUGES READING APPROXIMATELY 1/4 AT TAKEOFF.  WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FOUND THE CARBURETOR FLOAT LEVEL SET HIGHER THAN RECOMMENDED, A SOOTY EXHAUST, AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK FUEL GAUGE READING APPROXIMATELY 1/4 FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS VERIFIED EMPTY.  THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAUGES AND DIPPED THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS AT A GRASS FIELD AIRPORT, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT CERTAIN THE AIRPLANE WAS ENTIRELY LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6849G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6849G-1995-09-27), registration cancelled 1995-09-27, S/N 15072349 (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: 15072349
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Lehner
- Registered owner: William J. Lehner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: G05, FINLEYVILLE, PA
- Destination: G05

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 25,225 total, 30 in this make and model, 9,160 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N6849G (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 NYC77FGM10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FGM10), Jan 9, 1977: Cessna 150L (N6849G), Corry, PA, substantial damage

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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