# NTSB NYC97LA070: Cessna 150E, N6106T, Wolfeboro, NH, April 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1997, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Wolfeboro, NH - Location: 43.5936° N, 71.2116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wolfeboro, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5936&lon=-71.2116&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39340 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39340/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight, and failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the initial climb after takeoff, and the subsequent forced landing and collision with a mound of dirt. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot fueled his airplane and flew a cross country flight for a total duration of 4 hours. After landing back at his departure airport, the pilot departed for another flight without refueling. The pilot stated that the fuel gauges read 1/4, but on takeoff he ran out of fuel, and the engine lost power. He performed a forced landing straight ahead onto the runway, and struck a mound of dirt beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed less then 2 gallons of fuel remained in the wing tanks. The Pilot's Operating Handbook stated the fuel tanks contained 3 1/2 gallons of unusable fuel. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1997, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150E, N6106T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff at the Lakes Region Airport, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Wolfeboro. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he filled the airplane's fuel tanks, and then flew a cross country flight to Greenville, Maine, and back. The round trip distance was 250 miles, which included 1 stop. He also stated, "Flew around [a] while in Maine." After he returned to Wolfeboro, he took off for a trip to Laconia, New Hampshire. He further stated: "...Gas gauges were reading 1/4 tank, but both tanks were empty. Took off for 10 minute trip to LCI. Ran out of gas on takeoff." According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated he fueled the airplane with about 12 gallons of fuel, and then flew between 3 and 4 hours. After landing back at his departure airport, the pilot decided to fly again, and departed without further refueling. During the initial climb after takeoff, about 50 feet above the runway, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing straight ahead onto the runway, and struck a mound of dirt beyond the departure end of the runway. The FAA Inspector's examination of the airplane revealed less then 2 gallons of fuel remained in the wing tanks. According to the Cessna Pilot's Operating Handbook, the fuel tanks contained 3 1/2 gallons of unusable fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6106T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6106T-2015-03-12), registration cancelled 2015-03-12, S/N 15060806, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150E - Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060806 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Warren Lumpkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1997, 25 hours before - Departed: 8B8 - Airport: 8B8, Lakes Region, runway 30, 2,030 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,593 total, 25 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19970405045919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970405045919A), Apr 5, 1997: Cessna 150E, Wolfeboro, NH, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot fueled his airplane and flew a cross country flight for a total duration of 4 hours. After landing back at his departure airport, the pilot… ## Other investigations on N6106T (2) 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 ANC76DAH04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH04), Mar 22, 1976: Cessna 150 (N6106T), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC69F0090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69F0090), Dec 12, 1968: Cessna 150 (N6106T), Iliamna, AK, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.