Accident Summary
On May 26, 2019, at approximately 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F (registration N8746S) was involved in an accident near Garberville, California. The airplane, operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was seriously injured.
Flight Details
The pilot intended to perform three touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings. After completing one landing, the pilot departed from runway 36. While climbing through an altitude of about 100 to 200 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot initiated a turn to the east (right) to execute a forced landing on a river gravel bar or sandbar. The airplane subsequently struck a tree, descended through the tree canopy, and came to rest in a heavily vegetated area.
Post-Impact Condition
The airplane came to rest on a steep slope along the riverbank. The empennage separated from the fuselage, while both wings remained attached and intact. The aircraft was not recovered from the accident site. The amount of fuel onboard at the time of impact was not determined.
Preflight Information
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot did not refuel before departure because the fuel pump at the airport was inoperable. The pilot acknowledged that the fuel quantity was low but believed it would be sufficient to complete the three planned takeoffs and landings. During the preflight inspection, the pilot used a dipstick and determined that the fuel tanks contained 6 gallons of fuel. According to the Cessna 150 Pilot Operating Handbook, an airplane equipped with standard fuel tanks has a total fuel capacity of 26 gallons, of which 3.5 gallons are unusable. The fuel consumption rate for the airplane is approximately 6 gallons per hour.