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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 3, 1999 · Cessna 150M · N704BF

Paxton, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Paxton, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N704BF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA081

The pilot stated that after flying for 2.5 hours, he decided to land at an airport near Champaign, Illinois, and missed the airport due to the wind. The pilot stated that he then diverted to Paxton, Illinois, and after six attempts was unable to locate the airport. The pilot stated that the airplane ran out of fuel and he declared an emergency. An off airport landing was made into a plowed farm field 2.5 miles west of the Paxton Airport. The forced landing was made on a heading of 020 degrees. A weather report for a reporting station located 27 nautical miles and 190 degrees from the accident site reported winds from 180 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 26 knots. The left wing fuel tank contained no fuel and the right wing fuel tank contained less than one cupful of fuel. Examination of the airplane revealed no other anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inadequate preflight planning by the pilot in command and the exhaustion of usable fuel. Factors were the tailwind landing condition and the rough terrain at the landing site.

Full Narrative

On February 3, 1999, at 1031 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 150M, N704BF, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Paxton, Illinois, after a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated at Tevis Field, near Chanute, Kansas, at 0710 cst, and was en route to Detroit, Michigan. In his written statement, the pilot stated that after flying for 2.5 hours, he decided to land at an airport near Champaign, Illinois, and missed the airport due to the wind. The pilot stated that he then diverted to Paxton, Illinois, and after six attempts was unable to locate the airport. The pilot stated that the airplane ran out of fuel and he declared an emergency. An off airport landing was made into a plowed farm field 2.5 miles west of the Paxton airport. The pilot reported losing consciousness for an unknown amount of time following the accident. Post accident investigation showed substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The forced landing was made on a heading of 020 degrees. A weather report for a reporting station located 27 nautical miles and 190 degrees from the accident site reported winds from 180 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 26 knots. The left wing fuel tank contained no fuel and the right wing fuel tank contained less than one cupful of fuel. Examination of the airplane revealed no other anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:31 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN704BF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 20 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 28 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data