Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were the dark night and lack of suitable terrain to execute a forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a dark night personal cross country flight, the engine lost power, at 1900 mean sea level, while in cruise flight. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Subsequently, the aircraft struck a fence and trees. An examination of the aircraft failed to reveal any anomalies that could have contributed to the loss of engine power.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 17, 1994, at 1815 central standard time, a Cessna A150L, N6030J, was substantially damaged during a dark night forced landing near Newark, Texas. The airplane, flown by a private pilot, was on a personal cross country flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither the pilot or his passenger were injured. In the Pilot/Operator report and during an interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that he departed Corsicana, Texas, (CRS) at 1700 "with approximately 14 gallons of fuel." Approximately one hour later, the "right fuel gauge read 1/8 tank or slightly less. The left tank read between 1/4 and 1/2 tank." At 1815, the "engine failed," while cruising at 1,900 feet mean sea level, and a forced landing was executed to a field. During the landing, the airplane impacted a fence and trees. An examination of the aircraft by a FAA airworthiness inspector failed to reveal any anomalies that could have contributed to the loss of engine power. -