N7886Z

Substantial
None

Cessna 150C S/N: 15059986

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, October 28, 2000
NTSB Number
SEA01LA010
Location
SUNNYSLOPE, WA
Event ID
20001212X22257
Coordinates
47.459026, -122.649749
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision not to deviate to an alternate airport for fuel after encountering strong headwinds, resulting in fuel exhaustion. Factors contributing to the accident were the unfavorable winds and the sign impacted during the forced landing rollout.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N7886Z
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15059986
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
150C C150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PIERCE MICHAEL S
Address
470 WENZEL SLOUGH RD
Status
Deregistered
City
ELMA
State / Zip Code
WA 98541-9131
Country
United States

Analysis

On October 27, 2000, approximately 1827 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150C, N7886Z, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an on ground collision with a road sign during the landing rollout following a forced landing near Sunnyslope, Washington. The forced landing was conducted on route 3, approximately one mile north of the approach end of runway 19 at the Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton, Washington. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in dusk lighting conditions. The flight, which was personal and was operated under 14CFR91, originated from Friday Harbor, Washington, approximately 1700 local time.

Inspectors from the Renton, Washington, Federal Aviation Administration's Flight Standards District Office interviewed the pilot and passenger on the evening of the accident. The pilot reported that he left Friday Harbor with approximately one-third tank of fuel, and that he encountered strong southerly winds en route to Bremerton, 63 nautical miles (straight-line) south-southeast of Friday Harbor. He further reported that he "...radioed the low fuel emergency and tried to land at Bremerton Airport at approximately 1800. Upon descent they ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing on State Route 3..." (Refer to ATTACHMENT FAA-I). He then executed an intentional power off landing to the south, during which the aircraft's right wing impacted a road sign.

The pilot provided a written statement (NTSB Form 6120.1/2 attached) in which he reported that he departed Friday Harbor at 1700 and encountered 50-knot headwinds at his flight altitude of 3,500 feet above mean sea level (msl). He also reported that "we were unable to land at Jefferson Co[unty] due to scudding overcast in that area." Refer to CHART I, which shows the locations of Friday Harbor, Jefferson County airport, and the Bremerton national airport.

The pilot reported that during his approach to runway 19 at Bremerton, the engine coughed and subsequently died. He then landed southbound about one mile from the north end of runway 19. Additionally, he reported that he departed Friday Harbor with 9.0 gallons of fuel.

The 1700 local radiosonde launch from Quillayute (UIL), Washington, located 71 nautical miles southwest of Friday Harbor and 79 nautical miles west of Bremerton, and reported for the afternoon of the accident, provided winds aloft information as follows:

Pressure Height Wind Direction Wind Speed 992 mb* 0187 ft 120 deg True 18 kts 925 mb* 2080 ft 160 deg True 48 kts 850 mb* 4327 ft 170 deg True 49 kts

*Millibars

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA01LA010