Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Denton, TX — 2017-01-23

Final reportGAA17CA121
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Date
2017-01-23
Location
Denton, TX, USA
Airport
DTO
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N3545L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while on base to final, the engine "quit." He added that the airplane could not reach the runway, so he conducted a forced landed in a small field 1/2 mile from the airport. The airplane impacted a tree during landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident stated that, when he arrived, he only observed a few drops of fuel remaining in the airplane's undamaged fuel system. He further stated that, before removal of the wings from the airplane for transport, about 1.5 gallons of total fuel was drained from the fuel tanks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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