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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

March 20, 1997 · Cessna 150J · N5526G

La Valle, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
La Valle, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N5526G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA088

En route to final destination the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a flat farm field that was snow covered. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and caused substantial damage to the airplane. Postcrash investigation showed no usable fuel in system. After one and one half gallons of Avgas were added to tanks, the engine started and ran uneventful.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow covered terrain.

Full Narrative

On March 19, 1997, at 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5526G, sustained substantial damage during a night forced landing, near La Valle, Wisconsin, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed East Troy, Wisconsin at 1900 with the intended destination of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. In a written statement the pilot reported, "approximately 18 miles on the 280-degree radial from Dells VOR engine missed, pulled carb. heat and checked throttle and mixture, engine power lost with propeller windmilling." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a "flat farm field." After touchdown the pilot reported, "main gear touchdown, aircraft speed slowed rapidly, nose dropped & caught in snow flipping aircraft over on wings and tail." Postcrash investigation, done by a Federal Aviation Administration Investigator, reported substantial damage in the wings and tail from aircraft nosing over on rollout. The fuel gascolater and low point sump drains were checked and fuel was found. After numerous attempts, the engine would not start. One and one half gallons of Avgas were added to the tanks, and then the engine started and ran. Further inspection of the aircraft indicated no abnormalities.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN5526G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data