Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC95LA082

DAYTON, OH, USA

Aircraft #1

N6293S

CESSNA 150G

Analysis

THE PILOT WAS APPROACHING HIS FINAL DESTINATION. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A BICYCLE TRAIL. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE CROSSED A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. WHEN ASKED BY THE POLICE, 'WHY DO YOU THINK THE ENGINE QUIT?' THE PILOT STATED, 'NO FUEL.' THE FAA INSPECTOR'S REPORT STATED, '...FOUND NO LEAKAGE FROM FUEL TANKS, FUEL VALVE OR ENGINE. DRAINED BOTH FUEL TANK SUMPS AND FOUND 11/2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN RIGHT TANK, 1 GALLON OF FUEL IN LEFT TANK. ADDED FUEL TO AIRCRAFT AND STARTED ENGINE. ENGINE RAN NORMAL....' THE CESSNA 150G'S TOTAL FUEL WAS 26 GALLONS, WITH 3.5 GALLONS OF UNUSABLE FUEL.

Factual Information

On April 2, 1995, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N6293S, was substantially damaged, during a forced landing in Dayton, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger were not injured. There was a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan filed for the flight being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot departed Collegedale, Tennessee, on a personal flight, destined for Dayton, Ohio. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: ...[During the approach at Dayton,] I turned final brought in full flaps, 70 knots on the approach at 1700 feet. The engine quit over the freeway, I tried to restart the engine once without success. I zeroed the flaps to extend my glide path. ...I determined I was not going to make the runway. I had a choice of landing in the river or on the bike path. I attempted to land on the path. I ended up in the ditch between the bike path and the freeway, up-side-down.... During an interview by the Ohio State Police, the pilot was asked, "Why do you think the engine quit?" He stated, "no fuel." In the FAA Inspector's postaccident report, the Inspector stated: ...Inspected aircraft at accident scene on April 2, 1995 and observed no fuel leakage from fuel tanks or engine while aircraft was upside down. Also observed no damage to fuel tanks on this date. Inspected aircraft at Moraine Air Park on April 4, 1995 where aircraft was taken after accident, and found no fuel leakage from fuel tanks, fuel valve, or engine. Drained both fuel tank sumps, and found 11/2 gallons of fuel in right tank, 1 gallon of fuel in left tank. Added fuel to aircraft and started engine. Engine ran normal. Inspected air intake to engine and found evidence of backfire, but no visible damage to air cleaner or carburetor. The logbooks disclose that the annual was accomplished on March 3, 1995, and no discrepancies found.... The Cessna 150G's total fuel was 26 gallons, of which, 22.5 was usable.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight planning, resulting in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power, and the subsequent nose over during a forced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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