Cessna 150 N6212Y accident near Marshall, Texas

Probable cause

The student pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

While en route to his home airport, the student pilot reported that the engine rpm momentarily decreased. When the engine rpm decreased a second time, he reported to air traffic control that he had engine issues. The student pilot applied carburetor heat, and engine power was restored, but shortly thereafter the engine lost total power. Unable to reach the destination airport, the student pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane collided with trees and a fence line, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed both the left and right fuel tanks were empty when checked with a dipstick and no fuel came out when either tank was sumped. About 7 ounces of fuel was sumped from the fuel strainer and an additional empty water bottle of fuel was drained from the bottom of the engine after the airplane was recovered. After the accident the engine started and ran for about 10 minutes before it quit.

Fuel range and endurance calculations were performed using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data and the student pilot’s statements. The student pilot had fully fueled the airplane on the morning of the accident and departed to another airport to meet with a flight instructor for several flights. The total flight time was calculated to be about 4 hours. The student reported using a full rich mixture setting during the flight and estimated the airplane consumed about 6 gallons per hour. The total fuel capacity of the airplane was 26 gallons of which 22.5 gallons were listed as being usable.

The circumstances of the accident are consistent with fuel exhaustion. The fact that the engine started and ran on residual fuel in the fuel system is evidence that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation of the engine during the flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA355 for the full record.