On May 27, 2005, a Cessna 150L (registration N1770Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Spokane, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, with no evidence of mechanical failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot reported engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion. Post-accident testing showed no mechanical issues, confirming the cause.
What happened
The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power attributed to fuel exhaustion. Following this report, the engine was prepared for a test run. A fuel supply was added, and the engine started without difficulty. It was operated for approximately three minutes at 1,500 rpm before being shut down.
The investigation
A thorough examination was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found during the post-accident inspection and subsequent test run.
Probable cause
Loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, with no evidence of mechanical failure.