# NTSB SEA90LA051: Cessna 150J, N5559G, Graham, WA, March 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1990, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Graham, WA
- Coordinates: 47.010761, -122.290618 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0108&lon=-122.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA051

## 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 RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART WITHOUT SUCCESS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN BUT THEN BALLOONED AND TOUCHED DOWN A SECOND TIME ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP. DURING A POST-CRASH EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED ONLY UNUSEABLE FUEL.

## 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
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Welch, Sandra L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FHR, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA
- Destination: YELM, WA
- Airport: 49WA, Yelm, runway 36, 1,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19900312003869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900312003869A), Mar 12, 1990: Cessna 150J, Yelm, WA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Spotted private strip. Ballooned on landing came down hard collapsing nose gear.

## 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 SEA04LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA042), Feb 20, 2004: Cessna 150J (N5559G), Longview, WA, substantial damage. 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.
- [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.

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