# NTSB SEA87FA158: Cessna 150J, N51358, Las Vegas, NV, August 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1987, 11:43 local (18:43 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.149797, -115.11966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1498&lon=-115.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA158

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT PLANNED A X-COUNTRY FLT FOR 3.6 HRS.  AFTER 3.9 HRS OF FLT, FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AS THE ACFT WAS APCHG THE DESTN ARPT. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE ARPT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ON AN APCH TO A VACANT LOT WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE, THEN IT NOSED OVER & IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. APRX 6 QTS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ACFT HAD A FUEL CAPACITY OF 26 GAL, OF WHICH, 22.5 GAL WAS USABLE. ACCORDING TO THE FLT MANUAL, THE ACFT HAD A CRUISE ENDURANCE OF 4.1 HRS AT 75% POWER WITH NO FUEL RESERVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51358](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51358-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 15069948, built 1968 (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: 15069948
- Airframe hours: 5670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Talbot, William B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1986, 36 hours before
- Departed: U42, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LAS, Mccarran

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 79 total, 79 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 2 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 19870806045399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870806045399A), Aug 6, 1987: Cessna STC150, Las Vegas, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a powerline during a forced landing. Crashed in a vacant lot. Fuel exhaustion. Misjudged auto fuel usage.

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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