RADIUM SPRINGS, NM, USA
N6692S
CESSNA 150M
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO AT 0731 AND LANDED IN ALBUQUERQUE AT 0902. THE FLIGHT THEN DEPARTED FOR SANTA FE AT 1000 ARRIVING AT 1035. A RETURN FLIGHT TO ALBUQUERQUE WAS INITIATED AT 1105 AND ARRIVED AT 1150. EIGHT GALLONS OF FUEL WERE ADDED PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FOR LAS CRUCES, THE FINAL LEG OF HIS FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE 'ESTIMATED A TOTAL FUEL REQUIREMENT OF 25.5 GALLONS' FOR THE FLIGHT. THE 'AIRCRAFT HOLDS 22.5 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL' SO AN 'ADDITIONAL RIGHT GALLONS OF FUEL (WAS) ADDED FOR A TOTAL OF 30.5 GALLONS, FIVE GALLONS RESERVE EQUIVALENT TO 1.2 HOUR RESERVE.' THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AlBUQUERQUE AT 1300. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT 1510 HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN IT CROSSED AN 8 INCH DEEP IRRIGATION DITCH. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE 'ENGINE QUIT DUE TO THE LACK OF FUEL.'
On November 6, 1994, at 1510 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N6692S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Radium Springs, New Mexico. The student pilot was not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross country instructional flight. A VFR flight plan was filed. In the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the solo cross country flight originated in Las Cruces, New Mexico at 0731 and landed in Albuquerque at 0902. The flight then departed for Santa Fe at 1000 arriving at 1035. A return flight to Albuquerque was initiated at 1105 and arrived at 1150. The pilot then stated that an additional eight gallons of fuel were added prior to his departure for Las Cruces, the final leg of his flight. According to the pilot, he "estimated a total fuel requirement of 25.5 gallons" for the flight. The "aircraft holds 22.5 gallons of usable fuel" so an "additional eight gallons of fuel [was] added for a total of 30.5 gallons, five gallons reserve equivalent to 1.2 hour reserve." The aircraft departed Albuquerque at 1300. The pilot reported taht at 1510 the he experienced a total loss of engine power. He executed a forced landing to a field and the nose gear collapsed when it crossed an 8 inch deep irrigation ditch. The pilot further stated that the "engine quit due to the lack of fuel." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage, there was no evidence of fuel in the system.
FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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