# NTSB SEA91FA069: Cessna 150G, N4065J, Kennewick, WA, March 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1991, 16:53 local (Mar 27, 1991, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Kennewick, WA
- Coordinates: 46.209758, -119.160507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2098&lon=-119.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA069

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS AT THE KENNEWICK AIRPORT.  DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT MADE A STEEP TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY & THE AIRCRAFT STALLED IN THE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED NOSE DOWN & IMPACTED THE GROUND.  A POST-ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED ABOUT 3.5 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS.  THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL INDICATED THE 26 GAL FUEL TANKS HAD 3.5 GAL UNUSABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4065J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4065J-1991-05-10), registration cancelled 1991-05-10, S/N 15065365 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15065365
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronny L. Sabin
- Registered owner: Ronny L. Sabin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: S98, KENNEWICK, WA
- Airport: S98, Kennewick, runway 2, 3,490 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 243 total, 37 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSC, 6 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 19910326007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910326007649A), Mar 26, 1991: Cessna 150G, Kennewick, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Turned back steep turn for runway. Stalled. Only unusable fuel in tanks. Turn back hazard.

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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