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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 24, 1999 · Cessna 15OF · N8397G

Columbia, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 24, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Columbia, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 15OF
Tail Number
N8397G
Operator
Christopher E Forsythe
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA112

The pilot was about 2 miles from his destination airport when he experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing to a highway, landed on the shoulder, and the landing gear collided with a rain grate. The left main landing gear collided with a rain grate and separated. Visual examination of the left fuel tank revealed it was empty. The right fuel tank contained about 1/2 ounce of fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to maintain a visual lookout during a forced landing to a highway. This resulted in the left main landing gear colliding with a rain grate separating the left main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On March 24, 1999, about 1844 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150F, N8397G, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a total loss of engine power on final approach and made a forced landing to an interstate highway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Enterprise, Alabama, about 3 hours 6 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he departed Enterprise at about 1440 central standard time. He climbed to 3,500 feet and was vectored around restricted areas along his route of flight. He climbed to 5,500 feet and cruised at 75 percent power. Upon reaching Macon, Georgia, he descended to 3,500 feet, and descended to 2,000 feet when he was instructed to contact Columbia tower. He was being sequenced for landing on runway 29. About 2 miles from the airport the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He was provided winds, altimeter, and runway information. He informed the tower that he would be unable to make the airport. A shallow turn was made to the right and a forced landing was made to the shoulder of the interstate. The left main landing gear collided with a steel grate and separated the landing gear. The airplane rotated around the lateral axis to the right, collapsed the nose gear and came to a complete stop. Examination of the fuel tanks by the pilot revealed no fuel was present. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank contained about 1/2 ounce of fuel. The fuel bowl had only a thumbnail of fuel in the bowl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:44 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 15OF
Tail NumberN8397G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorChristopher E Forsythe
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 0200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data