CEN19LA186

Factual narrative

On June 28, 2019, about 0400 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N5256Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on an approach to the Millard Airport (MLE), Omaha, Nebraska. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on a visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Southwest Minnesota Regional Airport (MML), Marshall, Minnesota, about 0100. 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, which resulted in substantial damage. During a phone interview the pilot stated that the engine lost power as if it were starving for fuel. 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. 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. 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 then lost power. He attempted to restart the engine; however, he could not restore engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a road and the airplane's right wing struck a fence, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that 2.5 to 3 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank and the right tank was compromised during the accident. No anomalies were found with the airplane, engine, or fuel system that would have precluded normal operation. The cruise performance chart for the accident airplane model indicated that for a flight at 2,500 ft mean sea level, at 77% engine power should yield 3.9 hours of endurance. The pilot stated that he had topped off the fuel tanks at his departure airport and had flown about 3 hours at the time of the accident; however the airplane’s power setting and any potential headwinds are unknown. Based on the available information, it is likely that, with the low fuel level, when the pilot lowered the nose of the airplane during the approach, the fuel became unported and the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid management
• — Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid level
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Pilot