MESQUITE, NV, USA
N6582G
CESSNA 150
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING THE SECOND LEG OF A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT SINCE THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN WAS UNSUITABLE FOR AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. BEFORE REACHING THE PRIVATELY OWNED AIRPORT, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED ABOUT THREE AND A HALF GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT HAD MADE AN UNPLANNED LANDING AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT BEFORE CONTINUING TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TOTAL USEABLE FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT AND TOLD FAA INSPECTORS THAT THE TOTAL PLANNED DISTANCE WAS 220 MILES; THE ACTUAL DISTANCE WAS 264 MILES.
THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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