Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The improper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and fuel exhaustion during cruise flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 10, 2005, at 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N6601G, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing near Hillsboro, Illinois, following a total loss of engine power. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The local flight originated from Litchfield Municipal Airport (3LF), Litchfield, Illinois, at 2000.
The pilot stated that he departed from 3LF with 6 gallons of fuel aboard heading east at 2,000 feet mean sea level. About 10 miles from 3LF, he turned south for about 2 miles. At that time, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power at 1,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot stated that he looked for a road to attempt a forced landing onto but opted for a cornfield.
Inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane's fuel tanks contained less than a cup of fuel. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot's airman medical certificate was expired.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI05CA222