Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Zachary, Louisiana 70791
Saturday, August 21, 1999 20:30 CDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The airplane struck a power line during the forced landing at dusk, following a total loss of engine power. The pilot did not refuel the airplane before departing on a cross country flight. While performing dead reckoning navigation around controlled airspace, the pilot became disoriented which 'added more flight time causing more fuel consumption than planned.' Less than 8 ounces of fuel was found in each fuel tank. The private pilot had the limitation 'not valid for night flying or by color signal control' on his medical certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's failure to refuel and his disorientation. Factors were the dusk light conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 8/21/1999
Event Day of the Week Saturday
Time of Event 2030
Event Time Zone Central Daylight Time
Event City ZACHARY
Event State LOUISIANA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 70791
Event Date Year 1999
Event Date Month 8
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation 0
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Dusk
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 24
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 360
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 5
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 1
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 612
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Aug 23 1999 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 21
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Jan 10 2001 10:00AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N6243R
NTSB Number FTW99LA233
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 150F
Aircraft Series Identifier 150F
Aircraft Serial Number 15061543
Certified Max Gross Weight 1600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Unknown
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name STEVEN JOFFRION
Aircraft Owner Street Address 909 E CORNERVIEW STREET
Aircraft Owner City GONZALES
Aircraft Owner State LA
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 70737
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address
Operator City
Operator State
Operator Country
Operator Zip code
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code M79
Departure City RAYVILLE
Departure State LA
Departure Country
Departure Time 1900
Departure Time Zone CDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code L38
Destination City GONZALES
Destination State LA
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 10 2001 12:27PM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 0
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --