# NTSB NYC93LA087: Cessna 150L, N601MS, Melville, NY, April 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1993, 11:03 local (15:03 UTC)
- Place: Melville, NY
- Coordinates: 40.779277, -73.409683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7793&lon=-73.4097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37312/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED ON A 325 MILE LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  AFTER FLYING 90 MILES, WITH THE FUEL GAUGES READING HALF A TANK OF FUEL, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND SHORT OF HIS PLANNED DESTINATION.  THE PILOT CONTINUED ANOTHER 110 MILES, WHERE 2 MILES SHORT OF THE NEW DESTINATION, AND 3 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED.  WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON AN ACCESS ROAD NEAR THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SLID INTO A TRUCK TRAILER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601MS-1996-05-22), registration cancelled 1996-05-22, S/N 15071514 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071514
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Tiffany
- Registered owner: Joseph Tiffany
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1992, 45 hours before
- Departed: 3B4, ELIOT, ME
- Destination: N99, WEST CHESTER, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total, 300 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FRG, 1 nm away

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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