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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

December 16, 1993 · Cessna 150J · N61215

Tonasket, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 16, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tonasket, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N61215
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA041

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, THE PILOT CHECKED THE FUEL GAUGES AND 'DIPPED' THE FUEL TANKS, BUT HE DID NOT USE A CALIBRATED FUEL TANK QUANTITY DEVICE. DURING CRUISE THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON AN ABANDONED DIRT AIRSTRIP WHICH HAD PATCHES OF ICE ON IT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE PILOT OVERSHOT THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, LANDED LONG, AND SLID OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS INCLUDE AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND AN ICY LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

On Wednesday afternoon, December 15, 1993, at 1600 PST, a Cessna C-150J, N61215, registered to the Tonasket Flying Club, impacted terrain and nosed over five miles south of Tonasket, Washington, during an emergency forced landing. There was no flight plan filed for the personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions, that departed Brewster, Washington at about 1530, December 15, 1993, bound for Tonasket, Washington. The private certificated pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no fire. The pilot reported the aircraft lost engine power during cruise flight and he initiated an emergency forced landing on a private airstrip which had snow and ice patches on it. The aircraft landed long, ran off the end of the runway, collided with terrain and nosed over. An aircraft mechanic who examined the wreckage after the accident reported there was no fuel in the aircraft tanks or evidence of spilled fuel at the accident site. The pilot said that both fuel gauges read between one-quarter and one-half full before takeoff, and he reported that he had "dipped" the tanks during preflight, but not with a calibrated stick.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PST
Nearest AirportAbandoned Airstrip (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN61215
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330°
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data