# NTSB SEA05LA107: Cessna 150L, N1770Q, Spokane, WA, May 27, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 2005, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Coordinates: 47.619445, -117.630836
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6194&lon=-117.6308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA107

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to fuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power while on approach for landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.  Subsequently, the engine was prepared for a test run.  A fuel supply was added and the engine started without difficulty and was run for about three minutes at 1,500 rpm before it was shutdown.   No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found.

## Factual narrative

On May 27, 2005, at 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna150L, N1770Q, registered to S & S Trucks Plus Inc., and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power while on final approach for landing to Spokane International Airport, Spokane, Washington.  During the off airport landing to a dirt road, the aircraft collided with a tree.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The flight departed from West Richland, Washington, about one hour and 45 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Spokane, Flight Standards District Office that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.

On June 1, 2005, the engine was prepared for a test run.  A fuel supply was added and the engine started without difficulty and was run for about three minutes at 1,500 rpm before it was shutdown.   No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found.

To date, the pilot has not completed or returned the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1770Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1770Q-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 15073070, built 1971 (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: 15073070
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott D. Saltz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: RLD, West Richland, WA
- Destination: GEG, Spokane, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: GEG, 3 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 20050527008759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050527008759A), May 27, 2005: Cessna 150L, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot departed rld enroute to geg. He was cleared to land and on a 3 mile final, the engine began to "sputter" and lose power. The pilot elected to…

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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