NTSB Identification: LAX88LA128.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 36734.
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 15, 1988 in LODI, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/10/1989
Aircraft: CESSNA 150M, registration: N714FJ
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT DEPARTED LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA, FLEW TO FRESNO TO PICK UP A PASSENGER AND THEN CONTINUED ON TO LODI, THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION. WHILE BEING VECTORED TOWARD THE AIRPORT AT LODI, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH GRAPE VINES DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTINUITY WAS INTACT. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE DEPARTED LANCASTER WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. AT FRESNO, THE PILOT ONLY LOOKED VISUALLY IN THE TANKS AND REPORTED THAT HE SAW 'ABOUT HALF FULL' TANKS, WHICH MATCHED WHAT THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED. THE PILOT DID NOT USE A MEASURING DEVICE DURING THE FUEL LEVEL CHECK AT FRESNO. THE HOBBS METER LOG REVEALED THAT THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT 3.5 ELAPSED HOURS FROM LANCASTER TO THE ACCIDENT.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLUID,FUEL..EXHAUSTION
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
REFUELING..NOT PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..NONE SUITABLE
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..HIGH VEGETATION
Contributing Factors
PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
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