Cessna 150L N18515

Summary

On 21 May 1989 at about 14:50 local time, a Cessna 150L registered N18515 was involved in an accident near Bakersfield, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 1989 at 14:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Bakersfield, California, United States

Coordinates

35.5396, -118.9109

Aircraft

Cessna 150L

Registration

N18515

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Inyokern → Bakersfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX89LA200

1 person had minor injuries.

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY PLAN FOR THE FLIGHT IN THAT HE DID NOT CALCULATE THE FUEL CONSUMPTION ACCURATELY, FAILED TO PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE FUEL RESERVES, AND ALSO FAILED TO LAND AT AIRPORTS SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION EVEN THOUGH HE WAS AWARE OF HIS LOW FUEL STATE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHILE ON APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS INITIATED AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF GALLONS REMAINED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT. DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ESTIMATED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE HALF FULL ON DEPARTURE AND THAT HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS ENROUTE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF A LOW FUEL STATE BUT ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.