The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, the Cessna 150’s fuel gauges indicated that each tank was half full. He did not visually inspect the fuel tanks to verify the fuel gauge’s indicated reading.
After a 40-minute local flight, the engine lost power during the right turn to the base leg of the traffic pattern at the airport in Fallon, Nevada. The pilot recalled that airplane’s fuel gauge indicated that ¼ of the fuel capacity remained.
He forced landed in a “flat” attitude on the desert. The nose landing gear dug into the soft, dry surface and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder.
The pilot told investigators that the accident could have been prevented by visually inspecting the fuel tanks using a fuel stick to assess the airplane’s fuel quantity.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and quantity inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, and a subsequent nose-over.
This October 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
No insurance paid out here based on what was stated above by Sam.
This so called pilot should be banned from ever having a pilots license. My guess is that the fuel that remained was old fuel and maybe some water. Any person that would fly a plane under the conditions stated above probably did not do a pre flight, and then take a passenger. Wide open to be sued by the passenger
I’ve always considered the fuel gauges to only be an indication that there is fuel in the tanks, when needles stop swinging madly, there is no more fuel sloshing around. Apparently I have to reassess my use of those gauges… but one thing was clear on my first flight in a Cessna150, those gauges are not accurate and can’t be used for quantity indication.
Well, the pilot’s last flight review was 10 years prior, her last medical was 34 years ago, she was doing right traffic when it is not specified. Her pattern was 2 miles from the airport. Her remarks include “It had become dark during my return flight.” She had no night time flight hours listed for the prior 90 days, so not night proficient and she had a passenger aboard. So definitely not legal. DUH… and she never looked in or dipped the tanks during her pre-flight. Thank the good Lord no one was injured but no wonder our insurance is high. It seems to be a theme, pilots who routinely don’t follow the rules have accidents. It is pretty simple, if you can’t legally do what you want… don’t do it. I sure hope the insurance didn’t pay.
Additionally, a Sport Pilot is limited to an aircraft with a 1,320 lb gross weigh. A C150 gross is 1,600, so NOT allowed to be flown by a sport pilot.
Also, a SP is not allow to fly a night….
So, lots of ‘stupid pilot tricks’ in this case.
Most CE150s have ate p s on the struts for a reason.
Soft field landing practice would help too.
What is “ate p s!”
steps
Typo
Step on struts