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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 24, 2007 · Cessna 150 · N704HF

Okeechobee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 24, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Okeechobee, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N704HF
Operator
Robert S Varney
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA07CA064

The pilot stated that 9.5 gallons of fuel was onboard the airplane before takeoff. He cruised at an altitude of 3,500 mean sea level, for a flight of about 51 nautical miles, with an indicated airspeed of 110 knots. During final approach, about 250 feet above ground level, the airplane had a loss of engine power, and the pilot elected to land on the grass prior to the runway. The airplane impacted a ditch about 255 feet from the runway's threshold, and became airborne again. The nose gear bent, and the bottom cowling was damaged before it came to a stop. A person from the airport with a tractor assisted in towing the airplane into a hangar. As the airplane was towed, the pilot said he noticed fuel leaking from the airplane, and reached inside the cabin and turned the fuel selector valve off. The person who assisted the pilot stated to the airport manager that he did not see any fuel leaking during the recovery process, and confirmed with the pilot that the fuel selector valve was in the off position before the airplane was moved. The FAA inspector that conducted the postaccident examination drained 1.25 gallons of fuel from each wing tank, for a total of 2.5 gallons. The airplane's unusable fuel is 3.5 gallons.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a loss of engine power during final approach, and a collision with a ditch.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he completed a preflight and noted the airplane had 50 minutes worth of fuel. He arranged to have 4 more gallons of fuel added, which brought a total of 9.5 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane. He took a direct heading to Okeechobee after departure, cruising at 3,500 means sea level. The flight distance was about 51nactical miles with about 12 to 18 knots, northeast wind condition, giving an indication of 110 knots. He elected to land on runway 5 and was second to land, following another airplane in the downwind. During final, at about 250 feet above ground level, the airplane had a loss of engine power. He verified the engine controls; however, he had no time for an engine restart at the attitude the airplane was at. He elected to land on the grass prior to the runway. The airplane impacted with a 10 foot wide ditch about 255 feet from the runway's threshold and become airborne again. The nose gear bent and the bottom cowling was damaged before it came to a stop. He exited the airplane after securing the master switch and the magnetos. A gentleman from the airport came over with a tractor and assisted him in towing the airplane into a hanger. As the airplane was towed, he noticed fuel leaking from the airplane. He reached inside the cabin area and turned the fuel selector valve off. This was about 35-40 minutes after the incident occurred. The person who assisted the pilot in recovery of the airplane from the accident site stated to the airport manager that he did not observe any fuel leaking from the airplane during the recovery process. He confirmed with the pilot that the fuel selector valve was in the off position before the airplane was moved. The FAA inspector that conducted the post accident examination of the airplane stated he drained 1.25 gallons of fuel from each wing tank. A total of 2.5 gallons of fuel was collected. The airplane's unusable fuel is 3.5 gallons as noted in the airplane's Type Certificate Data Sheet, 3A19.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest AirportOkeechobee County (0nm)
Runway050
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN704HF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert S Varney
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 0-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 14 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time19:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data