N3051J

On May 23, 1993, at about 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N3051J, collided with a ditch while performing a forced landing in a farm field near Hollister, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power. The aircraft was operated by Richard C. Kirkham of Hollister. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage; however, the certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight originated at the Hollister municipal airport on the day of the mishap at about 1300 hours and proceeded to Watsonville, California, for touch and go landings and was returning to Hollister when the accident occurred.

In a verbal statement to FAA personnel, the pilot reported that he was in cruise when the engine began to run rough, then quit. He landed in a farm field and collided with a ditch at the field boundary. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the scene and examined the aircraft. He reported finding only about one quart of fuel in the aircraft fuel system. No system leaks were identified.

The pilot did not submit a written aircraft accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) nor provide any additional verbal information on the accident circumstances.