On May 3, 2004, a Cessna 150E (registration N3050J) was involved in an aviation accident near Goldthwaite, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision not to refuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A single-engine airplane lost power during cruise flight. The pilot landed in a pasture, but during rollout the left wing hit a tree, causing the aircraft to spin and collide with a fence. Inspection showed minimal fuel in one tank and an empty other; the pilot reported 4.3 hours since last refueling.
Incident Overview
A single-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The private pilot, faced with the power loss, elected to land the airplane in a pasture. During the landing roll, the left wing of the aircraft impacted a tree, causing the airplane to spin around. It subsequently collided with a fence before coming to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed that the left fuel tank contained approximately half a gallon of fuel, while the right fuel tank was found empty. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he had flown the airplane for about 4.3 hours since the last refueling.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the engine lost power without providing further details on the nature of the power loss. The decision to land in a pasture was made as a precautionary measure following the power loss.