Pilot Debrief

Cessna 150 near Garberville, CA — 2019-05-26

Final reportWPR19LA155
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Date
2019-05-26
Location
Garberville, CA, USA
Airport
O16
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Registration
N8746S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane contained 6 gallons of fuel before he departed to conduct three touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. He did not add additional fuel because the airport’s fuel pump was inoperative. The pilot completed one landing and was departing again when, after reaching about 100 to 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a tree and came to rest in a heavily vegetated area, resulting in substantial damage. The airplane had an unusable fuel level of 3.5 gallons. Given the fuel quantity before the flight, it is possible that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion; however, the airplane was not examined after the accident and the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have refueled before departure due to low fuel levels.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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