Cessna 150J N5578G accident near Madison, Arkansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel planning which led to fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while the airplane was in cruise flight, the engine power reduced to idle. The pilot noted that the engine was still running but that he was unable to increase power above idle. He stated that the engine acted as if the throttle control was disconnected. The pilot made a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane’s nose landing gear sunk in the soft ground, and the airplane nosed over.

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no usable fuel remaining in the wing fuel tanks, no fuel in the gascolator, and no evidence of a fuel spill at the accident site. The throttle control connection was checked; although the carburetor had broken loose from its mount due to impact, evidence indicated that the throttle control was functioning.

The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive for carburetor icing at glide power. However, a power loss during cruise flight and power that rapidly reduces to idle are not consistent with a loss of power due to carburetor icing.

Given the available evidence for this investigation, the pilot failed to adequately plan the fuel for the flight which resulted in the airplane’s fuel supply to be exhausted, resulting in a total loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA231 for the full record.