Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft prior to departing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 24, 1998, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N6562G, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a forced landing in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In a telephone interview, the pilot said he had flown the previous day from the Oswego County Airport (FZY), Fulton, New York, to the Cherry Ridge Airport (N30), Honesdale, Pennsylvania. On the day of the accident, the pilot flew from N30 to the Hazleton Municipal Airport (HZL), Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The pilot then departed HZL with the intent to return to N30. Before he departed HZL, he observed the fuel gages in the cockpit indicate the airplane's right fuel tank was 3/8 full, and the left fuel tank was "a little less then 1/4 full, about 1/8 full." The pilot stated he did not visually check the fuel quantity. About 15 to 30 minutes after departing HZL, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was able to restart the engine for about 25 seconds, before it lost power again.
The pilot then attempted a forced landing to a field, and the airplane impacted the tops of trees, and came to rest in a wooded area about 25 feet from an open field.
Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Additionally, there were no indications of rotation found on the propeller, and about 2 1/2 gallons of fuel was found in the airplane's fuel system.
The pilot stated he did not add any fuel to the airplane after departing Oswego. Aviation gasoline was available from fixed base operators located at HZL and N30.
According to the Airplane Information Manual (AIM), the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 3.5 gallons were unusable. The AIM, Section I, Before Starting Engine Checklist stated in part, "visually check fuel quantity, then check filler cap secure."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC98LA116