Summary
On December 26, 2011, a Cessna 150H (N22565) was involved in an accident near Knoxville, TN. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
According to the pilot, about 300 feet above ground level, a total engine power loss occurred. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine and performed a forced landing into trees. The wings and fuselage of the airplane were substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel tanks remained intact and were not breached, and contained about two gallons of fuel in each tank. The airplane was equipped with two 19-gallon wing tanks with a total fuel capacity of 38 gallons; of which, 35 gallons are usable. Further examination of the engine revealed that there was no fuel present in the fuel lines or the fuel separator on the engine.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA125. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N22565.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the pilot, about 300 feet above ground level, a total engine power loss occurred. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine and performed a forced landing into trees. The wings and fuselage of the airplane were substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel tanks remained intact and were not breached, and contained about two gallons of fuel in each tank. The airplane was equipped with two 19-gallon wing tanks with a total fuel capacity of 38 gallons; of which, 35 gallons are usable. Further examination of the engine revealed that there was no fuel present in the fuel lines or the fuel separator on the engine. The inspector found no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA125