COMMERCE, OK, USA
N8732S
CESSNA 150F
THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT ABOUT 600 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A COUNTY ROAD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TWO TREES. A SALVAGE CREW REPORTED FINDING NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS. THE ENGINE WAS LATER FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. IN A LETTER TO THE FAA THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.
On February 5, 1995, approximately 1700 central standard time, N8732S, a Cessna 150F, was substantially damaged when it struck a tree during a forced landing near Commerce, Oklahoma. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight about 600 feet above the ground when the engine lost power. He was able to restart the engine, but shortly thereafter it lost power again. The pilot made a forced landing on a county road. During the landing roll the left wing struck a tree, the airplane spun around, and the right wing hit another tree. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, he was informed by the salvage company that there was no fuel in the airplane when it was recovered. The engine was later functionally tested and operated satisfactorily. In the pilot/operator report, the pilot said he was new to the Cessna 150, having recently purchased it and had flown it less than 40 hours before the accident. He had kept records of fuel purchases and operating times to determine fuel consumption. In a letter to the FAA, the pilot indicated that he did not visually inspect the fuel tanks prior to the accident flight.
FUEL EXHAUSTION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT FAILING TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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