N3257J

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 150GS/N: 15065957

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, February 12, 2011
NTSB Number
CEN11LA188
Location
Springdale, AR
Event ID
20110215X93813
Coordinates
36.176387, -94.119163
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N3257J
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15065957
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1966
Model / ICAO
150GC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
REGISTRATION PENDING
Address
PO BOX 1846
Status
Deregistered
City
SPRINGDALE
State / Zip Code
AR 72765-1846
Country
United States

Analysis

On February 12, 2011, approximately 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 150G airplane, N3257J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Springdale Municipal Airport (KASG), Springdale, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot and private pilot sustained minor injuries. The cross-country flight had departed Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was en route to KASG.

According to the accident report form submitted by the commercial pilot, he and the private pilot were returning to KASG after spending the day in Hot Springs. While on final to runway 18, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose low attitude and came to rest adjacent to a fence, several hundred yards short of the runway. The fuselage was bent downward just forward of the empennage.

During the recovery of the airplane, a total of 1.75 gallons of fuel was recovered from both wing fuel tanks. The fuel tanks had not been compromised. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that this airplane had an unusable fuel total of 3 gallons. The commercial pilot reported to law enforcement personnel that they had not refueled prior to their return flight.

According to the commercial pilot, he was not acting in the capacity of a flight instructor, nor was he acting as pilot in command. He was occupying the right seat. According to an affidavit submitted by the private pilot, he was not acting as pilot in command. The commercial pilot reported the private pilot was occupying the left seat and was flying at the time of the accident.

Local law enforcement reported that the commercial pilot had consumed several beers prior to the flight and smelled of alcohol.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11LA188