BETHEL PARK, PA, USA
N6849G
CESSNA 150L
THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THE FUEL GAUGES READING APPROXIMATELY 1/4 AT TAKEOFF. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FOUND THE CARBURETOR FLOAT LEVEL SET HIGHER THAN RECOMMENDED, A SOOTY EXHAUST, AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK FUEL GAUGE READING APPROXIMATELY 1/4 FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS VERIFIED EMPTY. THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAUGES AND DIPPED THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS AT A GRASS FIELD AIRPORT, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT CERTAIN THE AIRPLANE WAS ENTIRELY LEVEL.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THE FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE AN IMPROPERLY READING RIGHT FUEL GAUGE, AND AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED CARBURETOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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