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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

August 28, 1997 · Cessna 150M · N704TL

Benton, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Benton, KS
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N704TL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA281

The flight instructor (CFI) said that he had planned for a 1 hour and 30 minute flight with a 30 minute fuel reserve. He and the student took off, went east of the airport to practice training maneuvers, then returned to the airport to do traffic pattern work. He said they were approaching their 30 minute reserve and he determined the next landing would be a full stop. The student misunderstood the instructions and attempted a touch-and-go. The student came in high and fast, touching down momentarily around mid-field. The CFI allowed the student to perform a go-around, believing that he had enough reserve fuel to do one more pattern. "On climbout the engine quit." The CFI turned the airplane back toward the runway and made a forced landing in a field. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the airplane. Approximately 2 gallons of fuel were drained from the airplane's fuel tanks. The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the airplane stated that 3.5 gallons of the 26 gallon total fuel capacity were unusable.

NTSB Probable Cause

the flight instructor's (CFI') improper in-flight planning/decision, which led to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power before the airplane was safely landed.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 1997, at 1945 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 150M, N704TL, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on takeoff the airplane's engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing attempt, the airplane impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. Neither the instructor pilot or the dual student reported any injuries. The flight originated at Benton, Kansas, at 1815 cdt. In his written statement, the instructor said that he had planned for an hour and 30 minute flight with a 30 minute fuel reserve. The instructor and student took off, went out east of the airport to do practice training maneuvers, and then returned to the airport to do some traffic pattern work. "We were approaching our 30 minute reserve and I determined the next landing would be a full stop. The student misunderstood my instructions and was attempting a touch-and-go. The student came in high and fast, touching down momentarily around mid-field. Rather than attempt a full stop, I allowed the student to go around." The instructor said that he believed he had enough reserve fuel to do one more pattern. "On climbout the engine quit. I assumed control of the aircraft. The pilot instructor turned the airplane back toward the runway and touched down in a field "a few hundred feet west of the departure end of the active runway." A witness, who saw the airplane take off from the airport, said that he heard "the engine of the airplane sputtering. At that time, the airplane was about 15 feet above the ground. The engine came alive for another 10 to 20 seconds before it quit totally. After that, the pilot tried to turn back to the airfield. I saw the airplane gliding down till it was finally hidden by a row of trees." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage found the airplane in a field next to the Benton, Kansas airport, approximately one-quarter mile from the end of the runway. The outboard one-third of airplane's left wing was bent upward approximately 45 degrees. The right wing was bent back. The outer 2 feet of the right wing was crushed inward and bent up. The left horizontal stabilizer showed heavy skin wrinkles. The nose wheel was broken off. The propeller showed no rotational scratching or torsional bending. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found in the engine, engine controls, or other airplane systems. Approximately 2 gallons of fuel were drained from the airplane's fuel tanks. The Cessna 150M Pilot's Operating Handbook states that 3.5 gallons of the 26 gallon total fuel capacity is unusable in airplanes configured with the two standard 13 gallon fuel tanks.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest AirportBENTON (1nm NNW)
Runway16
Runway Length2613 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN704TL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data