Synopsis
On 18 September 2006, a Cessna 150-H (serial 1506783) operated by an aeroclub was conducting night flight training near Guayaquil, Ecuador, when the engine stopped during final approach. The aircraft descended into the Río Daule and sank. Both occupants—a pilot-in-command (student) and a flight instructor—exited the aircraft and swam to shore without reported injury.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 150-H powered by a Continental O-200-A engine with a total time of 11,709.5 hours. It had a current airworthiness certificate and was maintained per manufacturer manuals. The propeller was a McCauley 1A-102-OCM-6948.
The pilot-in-command, 34, held a Commercial Pilot license valid through April 2007 and had 1,763.3 hours total flight time. He was receiving night flight instruction. The flight instructor, 43, held a Commercial Pilot/Instructor license valid through November 2006, with 4,399.0 total hours, including 1,900 hours in the Cessna 150.
Flight and Accident
The flight departed at 18:23 local time (23:23 UTC) for practice within five nautical miles, including touch-and-go landings. At 22:12 local time (03:12 UTC), the crew requested a full-stop landing on runway 21. Air traffic control (TWR) cleared the landing, but the crew did not acknowledge. TWR made ten additional calls with no response; only the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was heard. The aircraft subsequently struck the water surface and sank.
Investigation Findings
No debris field was observed; the aircraft sank completely and was not recovered. Meteorological conditions were not significant, navigation aids and communications were normal, and the aerodrome was fully operational. Both pilots held valid medical certificates, and post-accident medical checks showed no abnormalities. The aircraft had been refueled to capacity (26 gallons) before the flight, with 22.5 gallons usable. According to performance charts, at 2,500 feet and 75% power, fuel consumption was 5.64 gallons per hour, giving a four-hour endurance. The flight time from engine start to the final approach was approximately four hours, including taxi and practice maneuvers. The crew reported a remaining fuel quantity of about three gallons in the right tank. The investigation could not determine the exact reason for the engine stoppage due to the lack of physical evidence.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was determined as a sudden engine stoppage due to fuel exhaustion, as the aircraft reached the limit of its endurance given the flight time and fuel quantity on board.