Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150J near Madison, AR — 2021-04-28

Final reportCEN21LA231
Sign in to save
Date
2021-04-28
Location
Madison, AR, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150J
Registration
N5578G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel planning which led to fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while the airplane was in cruise flight, the engine power reduced to idle. The pilot noted that the engine was still running but that he was unable to increase power above idle. He stated that the engine acted as if the throttle control was disconnected. The pilot made a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane’s nose landing gear sunk in the soft ground, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no usable fuel remaining in the wing fuel tanks, no fuel in the gascolator, and no evidence of a fuel spill at the accident site. The throttle control connection was checked; although the carburetor had broken loose from its mount due to impact, evidence indicated that the throttle control was functioning. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive for carburetor icing at glide power. However, a power loss during cruise flight and power that rapidly reduces to idle are not consistent with a loss of power due to carburetor icing. Given the available evidence for this investigation, the pilot failed to adequately plan the fuel for the flight which resulted in the airplane’s fuel supply to be exhausted, resulting in a total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

Related mishaps