On April 20, 2007, a Cessna 150E (registration N3523J) operated by Levelland Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Levelland, TX. No fatalities were reported. 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.
What happened in the 20 Apr 2007 Cessna 150E accident near Levelland, TX?
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.
Were there any fatalities in the 20 Apr 2007 Cessna 150E accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Apr 2007 involved a Cessna 150E, registration N3523J, operated by Levelland Aviation, at Levelland, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
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.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…