N304JF

On August 17, 2000, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N304JF, piloted by a non-certificated pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power during initial climb from runway. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from the Williams Airpark, Chapin, Illinois, and was en route to the Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Jacksonville, Illinois.

The pilot possessed an expired student pilot certificate and medical certificate issued on March 30, 1998.

In a written report, the pilot said that he "Did engine run up and took off to the west. As soon as I started to climb the engine lost power. I put the nose down and the engine pickup power. As I started to nose up the engine lost power again." The pilot subsequently attempted a forced landing and struck an embankment.

The pilot listed in his written report no mechanical failure and described the failure as "fuel starvation". The pilot also listed the fuel on board at takeoff as 3.0 gallons. The Cessna 150M owner's manual lists the total fuel capacity as 26.0 gallons, the usable fuel in all flight conditions as 22.5 gallons, and the unusable fuel as 3.5 gallons.

A postaccident examination of the aircraft found that the right fuel tank had a trace of fuel, the left fuel tank had about 1/4 inch of fuel, and the firewall fuel filter was empty. No other anomalies were found that could be associated with a preexisting condition.