Cessna 150M N827CH accident near Layton, Utah

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight fuel planning, which did not account for the increased headwind.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that the airplane departed with about 8 gallons of fuel on board for a cross-country flight. While the airplane was en route and about 1,200 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot then completed the emergency procedures to restore power without success. The pilot chose to make an emergency landing on a golf course. During the landing sequence, the pilot intentionally impacted a tree with the airplane's right wing to reduce forward speed, after which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that, due to a headwind that the airplane encountered en route, there was insufficient fuel to reach his destination airport.

A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would precluded normal operation. It is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion because the pilot did not account for an increased headwind.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR15LA103 for the full record.