# NTSB NYC98LA116: Cessna 150L, N6562G, Blakeslee, PA, May 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1998, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Blakeslee, PA - Coordinates: 41.040626, -75.519912 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0406&lon=-75.5199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft prior to departing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis After flying from Oswego, New York, to Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and thence to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the pilot reported that he observed the fuel gages in the cockpit indicate the airplane's right fuel tank was 3/8 full, and the left fuel tank was 'a little less then 1/4 full, about 1/8 full.' He did not visually check the fuel quantity. The pilot did not add any fuel to the airplane after departing Oswego, although aviation gasoline was available from fixed base operators located at both Honesdale and Hazleton. About 15 to 30 minutes after takeoff, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was able to restart the engine for about 25 seconds, before it lost power again. During a forced landing to a field, the airplane impacted the tops of trees and came to rest in a wooded area. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. About 2 1/2 gallons of fuel was found in the airplane's fuel system. According to the Airplane Information Manual (AIM), the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 3.5 gallons were unusable. The AIM, Section I, Before Starting Engine Checklist stated in part, 'visually check fuel quantity, then check filler cap secure.' ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1998, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N6562G, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a forced landing in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot said he had flown the previous day from the Oswego County Airport (FZY), Fulton, New York, to the Cherry Ridge Airport (N30), Honesdale, Pennsylvania. On the day of the accident, the pilot flew from N30 to the Hazleton Municipal Airport (HZL), Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The pilot then departed HZL with the intent to return to N30. Before he departed HZL, he observed the fuel gages in the cockpit indicate the airplane's right fuel tank was 3/8 full, and the left fuel tank was "a little less then 1/4 full, about 1/8 full." The pilot stated he did not visually check the fuel quantity. About 15 to 30 minutes after departing HZL, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was able to restart the engine for about 25 seconds, before it lost power again. The pilot then attempted a forced landing to a field, and the airplane impacted the tops of trees, and came to rest in a wooded area about 25 feet from an open field. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Additionally, there were no indications of rotation found on the propeller, and about 2 1/2 gallons of fuel was found in the airplane's fuel system. The pilot stated he did not add any fuel to the airplane after departing Oswego. Aviation gasoline was available from fixed base operators located at HZL and N30. According to the Airplane Information Manual (AIM), the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 3.5 gallons were unusable. The AIM, Section I, Before Starting Engine Checklist stated in part, "visually check fuel quantity, then check filler cap secure." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6562G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6562G-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N 15072062, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15072062 - Airframe hours: 3995 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Neil H. Ringler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: HZL, HAZLETON, PA - Destination: N30, CHERRY RIDGE, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 16 nm away ## 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 19980524010709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980524010709A), May 24, 1998: Cessna 150L, Blakeslee, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power enroute. Force landed in trees. No usable fuel on board. Prop was not turning at impact. (.4) after two previous uneventful flights, the pilot… 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.