# NTSB SEA04LA042: Cessna 150J, N5559G, Longview, WA, February 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 2004, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Longview, WA - Coordinates: 46.131942, -122.988334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1319&lon=-122.9883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58786/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA042 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion while maneuvering, as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision/planning, leading to his failure to refuel the airplane prior to running out of fuel. A ditch was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the pre-flight, he noted that the fuel tanks were about half full. After takeoff and making one touch-and-go landing, he then proceeded to look for a missing barge along the river. The pilot stated, "I then lost track of time and ran low on fuel which caused engine to die." The pilot made a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel sunk into a ditch and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. An FAA Inspector confirmed the lack of fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 2004, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5559G, nosed over during the landing roll in an open field about four miles west of Longview, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Kelso-Longview Airport at 1300, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the pre-flight he noted that the fuel tanks were about half full. After takeoff and making one touch-and-go landing, he then proceeded to the Columbia River to look for a missing barge. The pilot stated, "I then lost track of time and ran low on fuel which caused engine to die." Because he was unsuccessful in his attempt to get the engine restarted, he elected to land in a nearby open field. Although the touchdown was uneventful, during the landing rollout, the nose wheel of the aircraft sunk into a ditch that the pilot had not seen while airborne, and the aircraft flipped over onto its back. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident site and confirmed the lack of fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5559G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5559G-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 15071059, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071059 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy G. Kirkpatrick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 2002, 11 hours before - Departed: KLS, Kelso, WA - Destination: KLS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 253 total, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KKLS, 4 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 20040220001779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040220001779A), Feb 20, 2004: Cessna 150J, Longview, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The individual was conducting a pleasure flight in vicinity of Longview, WA. After 1+ hours of flight, cruising at approximately 1000 feet, the engine… ## Other investigations on N5559G (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 SEA90LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA051), Mar 12, 1990: Cessna 150J (N5559G), Graham, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER BOUNCING/BALLOONING DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION WAS A FACTOR… - [NTSB LAX84LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA279), Apr 29, 1984: Cessna 150J (N5559G), Fort Ord, CA, 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.