Pilot Debrief

Cessna 150 near Granite Shoals, TX — 2019-03-06

Final reportCEN19LA101
Sign in to save
Date
2019-03-06
Location
Granite Shoals, TX, USA
Airport
2G5
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Registration
N6917F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff with a limited amount of fuel onboard, which unported during a turn, resulting in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he last fueled the airplane about 5 months before the accident. Before the flight, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection and sumped both wing fuel tanks. The left fuel tank had some sediment present, but as he continued sumping the fuel became clear. The fuel in the right fuel tank ran clear. After engine start, the left tank fuel gauge indicated near empty, and the right fuel tank gauge indicated about 1/4 full. Subsequently, the pilot took off for a personal cross-country flight. After starting a right turn, and about 600 ft above ground level, the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot then attempted to turn back to the airport but realized that the airplane was too low, so he executed a forced landing to a field with small trees, during which the left wing struck a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that, after the accident, he found more sediment in the left tank. He stated that he believed that the low fuel state and the sediment in the left tank may have starved the engine of fuel during the turn and that having more fuel onboard would have “probably been helpful.” However, it is more likely that, due to the low fuel state, when the pilot conducted the right turn, the fuel became unported, resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Refueling the aircraft adequately before the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps