Summary
On July 13, 2011, a Cessna 150J (N60060) was involved in an accident near Wheatland, WY. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight with known equipment deficiencies.
After takeoff the pilot noticed that the airplane's battery was not operating and elected to continue the flight without the use of his left and right fuel gauge indicators, as required for flight under visual flight rules by CFR Part 91.205(b)(9). The pilot reported that 12 miles to the south of his intended destination, his engine sputtered and quit. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road and the airplane touched down nose wheel first and nosed over, coming to a rest inverted. The fuselage, wings, and rudder sustained substantial damage. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane post accident, the fuel caps made a hissing noise when initially removed and there was no fuel in the fuel tanks.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR11CA327. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N60060.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight with known equipment deficiencies.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
After takeoff the pilot noticed that the airplane's battery was not operating and elected to continue the flight without the use of his left and right fuel gauge indicators, as required for flight under visual flight rules by CFR Part 91.205(b)(9). The pilot reported that 12 miles to the south of his intended destination, his engine sputtered and quit. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road and the airplane touched down nose wheel first and nosed over, coming to a rest inverted. The fuselage, wings, and rudder sustained substantial damage. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane post accident, the fuel caps made a hissing noise when initially removed and there was no fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA327