BURLINGTON, WI, USA
N704ZF
CESSNA 150M
THE PILOT CALCULATED WHAT HE THOUGHT WOULD BE ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE PROPOSED FLIGHT. HE DID NOT FUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS OF FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE NOSE GEAR IMPACTED UPHILL TERRAIN DURING THE OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL IN TANKS.
On September 26, 1993, at 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N704ZF, registered to Weis Scott of Burlington, Wisconsin, and operated by a private rated pilot, experienced a loss of engine power and a forced landing was conducted into a farm field three miles west of the Burlington, Wisconsin airport. During the forced landing the nose landing gear impacted uphill terrain and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed Burlington, Wisconsin, at approximately 1115. The pilot stated that he departed on the flight from Burlington with what he believed to be 12 gallons of fuel. He indicated that he landed at Kenosha at 1245, taxied back and departed for Burlington where he arrived at 1315. He stated that he then taxied back and decided to make one more take off and landing at Burlington. It was during this last flight that the engine power was lost. In his written statement the pilot stated that he, "Did not have sufficient fuel." Post accident examination of the airplane revealed only unusable fuel on the airplane. A Cessna 150 Owner's Manual excerpt is included as an addendum to this report. It shows "Cruise Performance" with lean mixture fuel consumption rates at 2,500 feet, from a low of 3.2 to a high of 7.0 gallons per hour.
the improper fuel calculations by the pilot-in-command. Factors were the pilot-in-command's not refueling and uphill terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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