NTSB Factual Report

On June 14, 2006, at 2009 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150D, N4542U, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and impacted terrain during a forced landing near Bloomfield, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at a private airfield in Concord, North Carolina, destined for Paoli Municipal Airport (I42), Paoli, Indiana. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane departed about 1700. About 85 statute miles from the destination, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing to a road, but the airplane's right wing struck power lines, and it subsequently impacted the ground.

FAA inspectors examined the airplane and engine after the airplane had been recovered from the scene. The right and left wings remained attached to the airplane, and neither the right nor the left fuel tank displayed impact or recovery damage. Neither fuel cap showed evidence of leakage, and after being removed, an estimated 2 ounces of fuel drained from the tanks. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand, and compression and valvetrain continuity was confirmed on all cylinders. The fuel inlet line was removed from the carburetor, and approximately 1 tablespoon of fuel leaked from the line. The fuel gascolator contained less than 1 ounce of fuel. The fuel that drained from the airplane exhibited smell and color properties consistent with automotive gasoline.

The engine was sent to an airframe and powerplant mechanic for further examination. Approximately 1 pint of fuel was supplied to the engine and it was started. The engine was run at various power settings, including idle and full power, for approximately 5 minutes, with no abnormalities noted.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on March 8, 2004, and he reported 180 hours of total flight experience on that date.

The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the airplane contained a cruise performance chart, which provided estimated values for fuel consumption, engine operating endurance, and operating range. The airplane's cruise performance, between the altitudes of 2,500 feet and 7,500 feet, was calculated as follows:

1. Fuel consumption was between 5.6 and 5.7 gallons-per-hour.

2. Engine operating endurance was between 3.9 and 4.0 hours.

3. Operating range was between 460 and 490 statute miles.

Variables used in the performance calculations included full fuel tanks, a lean fuel mixture setting, and a power setting of 75-percent. The values did not include allowances for take-off, climb, or reserve fuel. The estimated distance between the departure airfield and the destination airport was 395 statute miles. The accident occurred 85 statute miles southeast of the destination airport. The pilot reported to FAA inspectors that prior to departure, he estimated that the flight would take 3.9 hours. The accident occurred approximately 3.2 hours after departure.

Despite repeated attempts to contact the pilot, neither a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, nor a pilot statement, were received by the Safety Board.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.