# NTSB NYC95LA045: Cessna 150H, N7175S, Wheeling, WV, December 21, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1994, 18:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, WV
- Coordinates: 40.070652, -80.690818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0707&lon=-80.6908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA045

## Probable cause

The student pilot's inadequately planned cross-country flight, and his subsequent disorientation, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a collision with an object.

## 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
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SOLO, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  HE BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED AS HE RETURNED TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  HE WAS VECTORED TO AN AIRPORT AND STARTED A VISUAL APPROACH.  THE ENGINE QUIT ON SHORT FINAL, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A FENCE.  THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AND FOUND ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN THE TANKS.  THE STUDENT, WHO OWNED THE AIRPLANE, DID NOT OBTAIN HIS INSTRUCTOR'S AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CROSS COUNTRY.

## Factual narrative

On Wednesday, December 21, 1994, at 1825 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150H, N7175S, registered to and piloted by John T. Hart, a student pilot, was destroyed while attempting to land in Wheeling, West Virginia.  The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The student pilot was performing a solo, cross-country flight.  He departed Washington, Pennsylvania, on the last leg of the flight; however, he became lost and disoriented.  He was vectored to the Wheeling Ohio County Airport and established a landing approach for runway 21.  Just before reaching the airport boundary, the engine quit.  He was unable to glide to the runway, and the airplane collided with a fence.

The FAA examined the airplane and determined that "less than one gallon of fuel was found in the wing tanks..."

The student pilot did not have his instructor's authorization for this flight; therefore, his flight planning was not reviewed by the instructor.

The student had about 40 hours total flight time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7175S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7175S-2002-08-20), registration cancelled 2002-08-20, S/N 15067875, built 1967 (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: 15067875
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AFJ, WASHINGTON, PA
- Destination: 7G1, NEW CUMBERLAND, WV
- Airport: HLG, Wheeling Ohio County, runway 21, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °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 19941221042029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941221042029A), Dec 21, 1994: Cessna 150H, Wheeling, WV, Destroyed. Pilot reported a loss of fuel and hit short of runway into an embankment. (.4)the student pilot was conducting a solo, cross-country flight. He became lost and…

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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