Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150M near Layton, UT — 2015-02-14

Final reportWPR15LA103
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Date
2015-02-14
Location
Layton, UT, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150M
Registration
N827CH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight fuel planning, which did not account for the increased headwind.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that the airplane departed with about 8 gallons of fuel on board for a cross-country flight. While the airplane was en route and about 1,200 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot then completed the emergency procedures to restore power without success. The pilot chose to make an emergency landing on a golf course. During the landing sequence, the pilot intentionally impacted a tree with the airplane's right wing to reduce forward speed, after which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that, due to a headwind that the airplane encountered en route, there was insufficient fuel to reach his destination airport. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would precluded normal operation. It is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion because the pilot did not account for an increased headwind.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to LGU before fuel became insufficient.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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