NTSB Factual Report

On February 20, 2004, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5559G, nosed over during the landing roll in an open field about four miles west of Longview, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Kelso-Longview Airport at 1300, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the pre-flight he noted that the fuel tanks were about half full. After takeoff and making one touch-and-go landing, he then proceeded to the Columbia River to look for a missing barge. The pilot stated, "I then lost track of time and ran low on fuel which caused engine to die." Because he was unsuccessful in his attempt to get the engine restarted, he elected to land in a nearby open field. Although the touchdown was uneventful, during the landing rollout, the nose wheel of the aircraft sunk into a ditch that the pilot had not seen while airborne, and the aircraft flipped over onto its back.

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident site and confirmed the lack of fuel in the fuel tanks.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion while maneuvering, as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision/planning, leading to his failure to refuel the airplane prior to running out of fuel. A ditch was a factor.