Cessna 150
Fallon, NV — October 8, 2019
Event Information
| Date | October 8, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA20CA010 |
| Event ID | 20191011X24943 |
| Location | Fallon, NV |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.49917, -118.74889 |
| Airport | Fallon Muni |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Cessna |
| Model | 150 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning and quantity inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, a forced landing on unsuitable terrain, and a subsequent nose-over.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, the fuel gauges indicated that each tank was half-full. The pilot did not visually inspect the fuel tanks to verify the fuel gauge's indicated reading. After a 40-minute local flight, the engine lost power during the right turn to the base leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot recalled that airplane's fuel gauge indicated that ¼ of the fuel capacity remained. He forced landed in a "flat" attitude on the desert. The nose landing gear dug into the soft, dry surface and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to horizontal stabilizer and the rudder.
Additionally, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by visually inspecting the fuel tanks using a fuel stick to assess the airplane's fuel quantity.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.