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NTSB Report
February 28, 1990 · Cessna 150J · N51402
Tomball, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Tomball, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N51402
Operator
Merriworth Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA075
THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ON AN EXTENDED DOWNWIND AFTER A TWO LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHICH LASTED 2.9 HOURS. THE SECOND PILOT EXECUTED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AS HE HAD MORE TOTAL TIME THAN THE PIC. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT/WET TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RENTAL AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN 1 FLIGHT OF 0.7 HRS BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT TRIP AND HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED ON ITS RETURN. THE PIC HAD BASED HER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS ON A RATE OF 4.6 GPH INSTEAD OF THE 6.4 GPH THAT RECORDS INDICATED WAS THE CORRECT CONSUMPTION RATE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE SOFT/WET TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ON AN EXTENDED DOWNWIND AFTER A TWO LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHICH LASTED 2.9 HOURS. THE SECOND PILOT EXECUTED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AS HE HAD MORE TOTAL TIME THAN THE PIC. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT/WET TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RENTAL AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN 1 FLIGHT OF 0.7 HRS BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT TRIP AND HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED ON ITS RETURN. THE PIC HAD BASED HER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS ON A RATE OF 4.6 GPH INSTEAD OF THE 6.4 GPH THAT RECORDS INDICATED WAS THE CORRECT CONSUMPTION RATE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:26 CST
Nearest AirportDavid Wayne Hooks (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN51402
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMerriworth Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind140° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 57
Altimeter0
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC