N7842E

Substantial
None

Cessna 150S/N: 17642

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 28, 2007
NTSB Number
NYC07CA154
Location
Lancaster, PA
Event ID
20070909X01343
Coordinates
40.087776, -76.272781
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to conduct the flight while impaired by alcohol, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and substantial damage to the airplane during the subsequent forced landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17642
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
150C150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
ERKERT MATTHEW P
Address
1901 ALLEGHENY AVE
City
LEBANON
State / Zip Code
PA 17042-8314
Country
United States

Analysis

At approximately 1518 eastern daylight time, the owner/pilot of a Cessna 150 conducted an emergency landing off-airport in a cornfield after a total loss of engine power. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to local law enforcement personnel, the pilot said he departed Smoketown Airport (S37), Smoketown, Pennsylvania, at approximately 1345. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that was on scene, the fuel quantity remaining was less than the manufacturer's published minimum fuel required for engine operation in flight. The inspector did not report any fuel tank damage or leaks. Additionally, the inspector reported that the pilot's third class medical certificate had expired in May 2003, that the pilot did not meet the Flight Review currency requirements, and that the ELT battery was beyond its expiration date. The pilot failed field sobriety tests administered to him on-site by a local law enforcement officer, and a breathalyzer test yielded an alcohol concentration reading of 0.153 percent blood alcohol. FAR 91.17(a) specifies a maximum blood alcohol concentration of less than 0.04 percent.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC07CA154