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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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February 20, 2004 · Cessna 150J · N5559G

Longview, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Longview, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N5559G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA04LA042

The pilot reported that during the pre-flight, he noted that the fuel tanks were about half full. After takeoff and making one touch-and-go landing, he then proceeded to look for a missing barge along the river. The pilot stated, "I then lost track of time and ran low on fuel which caused engine to die." The pilot made a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel sunk into a ditch and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. An FAA Inspector confirmed the lack of fuel in the fuel tanks.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion while maneuvering, as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision/planning, leading to his failure to refuel the airplane prior to running out of fuel. A ditch was a factor.

Full Narrative

On February 20, 2004, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5559G, nosed over during the landing roll in an open field about four miles west of Longview, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Kelso-Longview Airport at 1300, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the pre-flight he noted that the fuel tanks were about half full. After takeoff and making one touch-and-go landing, he then proceeded to the Columbia River to look for a missing barge. The pilot stated, "I then lost track of time and ran low on fuel which caused engine to die." Because he was unsuccessful in his attempt to get the engine restarted, he elected to land in a nearby open field. Although the touchdown was uneventful, during the landing rollout, the nose wheel of the aircraft sunk into a ditch that the pilot had not seen while airborne, and the aircraft flipped over onto its back. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident site and confirmed the lack of fuel in the fuel tanks.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN5559G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 39 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data