On April 20, 2007, a Cessna 150E (registration N3523J) operated by Levelland Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Levelland, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a cross-country instructional flight, the engine lost power at 5,500 ft msl, 10 nm from the destination. The pilot performed a forced landing to a plowed field. Inspection revealed less than one gallon of fuel in each wing tank and substantial damage.
Accident Details
A pilot on the return leg of a cross-country instructional flight experienced an engine power loss while at 5,500 feet mean sea level and approximately 10 nautical miles from the destination airport. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing to a plowed field.
Post-Accident Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft at the accident site. Inspection of both wing tanks revealed that less than one gallon of fuel was drained from each tank. The inspector noted substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount. The nose landing gear had separated, and both main landing gear structures were bent aft. The pilot had landed across the rows of the plowed field.