Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow covered terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 19, 1997, at 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5526G, sustained substantial damage during a night forced landing, near La Valle, Wisconsin, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed East Troy, Wisconsin at 1900 with the intended destination of Hillsboro, Wisconsin.
In a written statement the pilot reported, "approximately 18 miles on the 280-degree radial from Dells VOR engine missed, pulled carb. heat and checked throttle and mixture, engine power lost with propeller windmilling." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a "flat farm field." After touchdown the pilot reported, "main gear touchdown, aircraft speed slowed rapidly, nose dropped & caught in snow flipping aircraft over on wings and tail."
Postcrash investigation, done by a Federal Aviation Administration Investigator, reported substantial damage in the wings and tail from aircraft nosing over on rollout. The fuel gascolater and low point sump drains were checked and fuel was found. After numerous attempts, the engine would not start. One and one half gallons of Avgas were added to the tanks, and then the engine started and ran. Further inspection of the aircraft indicated no abnormalities.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI97LA088