Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow covered terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
En route to final destination the engine suffered a loss of power. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a flat farm field that was snow covered. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and caused substantial damage to the airplane. Postcrash investigation showed no usable fuel in system. After one and one half gallons of Avgas were added to tanks, the engine started and ran uneventful.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 19, 1997, at 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 150J, N5526G, sustained substantial damage during a night forced landing, near La Valle, Wisconsin, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed East Troy, Wisconsin at 1900 with the intended destination of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. In a written statement the pilot reported, "approximately 18 miles on the 280-degree radial from Dells VOR engine missed, pulled carb. heat and checked throttle and mixture, engine power lost with propeller windmilling." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a "flat farm field." After touchdown the pilot reported, "main gear touchdown, aircraft speed slowed rapidly, nose dropped & caught in snow flipping aircraft over on wings and tail." Postcrash investigation, done by a Federal Aviation Administration Investigator, reported substantial damage in the wings and tail from aircraft nosing over on rollout. The fuel gascolater and low point sump drains were checked and fuel was found. After numerous attempts, the engine would not start. One and one half gallons of Avgas were added to the tanks, and then the engine started and ran. Further inspection of the aircraft indicated no abnormalities. -