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NTSB Report
July 2, 1989 · Cessna 150 · N5712E
Kelseyville, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kelseyville, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N5712E
Operator
Tom Watson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA228
THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS BY DIPPING THEM AND VISUALLY LOOKING IN THEM. HE DETERMINED HE HAD 6 TO 7 GALLONS, THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD BE GOOD FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR OR MORE. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON THE FLIGHT AT 2008 PDT AND CRASHED AT 2050 PDT. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ENGINE PROBLEM SO HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE LEFT WING IMPACTED A FENCE POST. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION INDICATED NO FUEL IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND APPROXIMATELY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK. A CONSERVATION FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURE FOR THIS TYPE FLIGHT IS FIVE GPH ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT MANUAL. THE FLIGHT MANUAL ALSO LISTS THE LAST 3 TO 3.5 GALLONS OF FUEL AS UNUSABLE.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATIONS AND THE IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS BY DIPPING THEM AND VISUALLY LOOKING IN THEM. HE DETERMINED HE HAD 6 TO 7 GALLONS, THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD BE GOOD FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR OR MORE. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON THE FLIGHT AT 2008 PDT AND CRASHED AT 2050 PDT. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ENGINE PROBLEM SO HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE. DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE LEFT WING IMPACTED A FENCE POST. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION INDICATED NO FUEL IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND APPROXIMATELY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK. A CONSERVATION FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURE FOR THIS TYPE FLIGHT IS FIVE GPH ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT MANUAL. THE FLIGHT MANUAL ALSO LISTS THE LAST 3 TO 3.5 GALLONS OF FUEL AS UNUSABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN5712E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTom Watson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO