Incident Overview
On June 28, 2019, at about 0400 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, registration N5256Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on approach to Millard Airport (MLE) in Omaha, Nebraska. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Details
Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was operated on a visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Southwest Minnesota Regional Airport (MML) in Marshall, Minnesota, at about 0100.
Narrative
The pilot reported that he was on final approach to land after a 3-hour flight when the airplane's engine would not respond to throttle inputs. He attempted to restart the engine, and the engine ran momentarily before it lost power again. A forced landing was executed to a road, and the airplane's right wing struck a fence, resulting in substantial damage. During a phone interview, the pilot stated that the engine lost power as if it were starving for fuel.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that 2.5 to 3 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank; the right tank was compromised during the accident. No anomalies were found with the airplane, engine, or fuel system that would preclude normal operation.
Performance Reference
The cruise performance chart for the accident airplane model indicated that a flight at 2,500 ft msl, at 77% engine power, should yield 3.9 hours of endurance.