NTSB Factual Report

On November 23, 2004, at 1920 central standard time, a Cessna 150H, N6932S, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed over during a forced landing to a field near Sackman Field (H49), Columbia, Illinois, following a loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed the Memphis International Airport (MEM), Memphis, Tennessee, approximately 1630 and was en route to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was on an instrument flight plan.

The pilot reported that weather conditions were deteriorating at SUS so he elected to divert to the St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), Cahokia, Illinois. He reported that while he was on a radar vector for the ILS approach to CPS at 3,000 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. He declared an emergency and requested a vector to the nearest airport. He attempted to restart the engine while he diverted to H49 for an emergency landing. The engine restart was unsuccessful and he executed a forced landing to a muddy field. During landing rollout, the airplane nosed over. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injuries.

The lineman at the fixed base operator at MEM reported that he fueled N6932S with 10 gallons of fuel by putting 5 gallons of fuel in each wing tank. He reported, "I fueled the left tank first and when I unscrewed the cap, I noticed that the tank was almost empty. The fuel was splashing against the bottom of the tank. I placed five gallons of fuel in that tank, screwed the cap back on and went to the right tank. Once again, when I unscrewed the cap off the right tank, I noticed that it too was almost empty and the same fuel was also splashing against the bottom of the tank. I placed five gallons in that tank and screwed the cap back on."

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane was placed on its landing gear. He reported that the fuel tanks were intact and sealed shut, and 23 ounces of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks. No mechanical anomalies were identified.

The pilot reported that he departed with 20.5 gallons of fuel. During a phone interview, he reported that he was not sure if he looked inside the fuel tanks after refueling at MEM. He also did not remember if he used carburetor heat during cruise flight.

The distance between MEM and SUS is about 241 nautical miles. The duration of the accident flight was about 2 hours and 50 minutes.

At 1903, the observed weather at CPS was: Wind 040 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 6 statute miles, ceiling broken 1,200 feet, temperature 12 degrees C, dew point 11 degrees C, altimeter 29.83 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. Factors were the unsuitable field encountered during the forced landing, the muddy field, and the dark night.