WEATHERFORD, TX, USA
N23192
CESSNA 150H
THE PILOT DEPARTED NORTHWEST REGIONAL AIRPORT, FORT WORTH, TEXAS, WITH THE INTENTION OF FLYING TO RANGER, TEXAS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE RANGER AIRPORT, SO HE TURNED AROUND AND PROCEEDED BACK TOWARDS FORT WORTH. NEAR WEATHERFORD, TEXAS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHEN POWER WAS LOST, BOTH FUEL GAUGES REGISTERED ONE QUARTER FULL. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY FAA PERSONNEL REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS HAD NOT BEEN COMPROMISED, THE TANKS WERE EMPTY, AND THERE WERE NO FUEL STAINS ON THE GROUND. THE SALVAGE CREW REPORTED FINDING APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF GALLON AND ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS, RESPECTIVELY.
On September 4, 1993, at approximately 1348 central daylight time, the pilot of a Cessna 150H, N23192, made a forced landing near Weatherford, Texas, after the engine lost power. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The following is based on information collected by the Federal Aviation Administration FAA). The pilot departed Northwest Regional Airport, Fort Worth, Texas, on a proposed cross country flight to Ranger, Texas. The pilot told an FAA inspector that he was unable to locate Ranger Airport, so he turned around and was returning to Fort Worth when the engine lost power. The pilot indicated on his accident report that both fuel gauges registered 1/4 full. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane lose altitude and said the engine was not operating. The FAA inspector reported the fuel tanks were not compromised, no fuel was found in the tanks, and no fuel stains were noted on the ground. On September 8, 1993, the engine was examined by representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Teledyne Continental Motors. The following is based on a report submitted by the Cessna Aircraft Company. Drive train continuity was established and all four cylinders had compression. The top spark plugs were dry. Only a few drops of fuel was noted in the carburetor bowl. Two ounces of fuel was drained from the gascolator. Salvage personnel reported there was about 1/2 gallon of fuel in the left tank and about one gallon of fuel in the right tank.
FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO HAVE THE AIRPLANE SERVICED TO CAPACITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND HIS ERRONEOUS FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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