Cessna 150K accident near Anderson, Missouri, August 9, 2003
On August 9, 2003 at about 1:19 am local time, a Cessna 150K, registered N6501G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Anderson, Missouri. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot becoming lost/disoriented. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2003 · about 1:19 am local time
- Place
- Anderson, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150K · all 150Ks on the register
- Registration
- N6501G · registry record · serial 15072001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot stated that she was on a four-leg solo cross-country flight and was en route back to her original departure point when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that while en route she got a little disoriented. She reported that while in cruise flight, about 2,300 feet above sea level (MSL), "the engine started to sputter." The engine subsequently stopped producing power. She stated she applied carburetor heat and set up for a forced landing. During the course of the landing, the engine regained power briefly, according to the pilot. She reported she was not sure if the aircraft climbed during the time engine power was regained, or if the descent rate just leveled off. She stated that, while the engine was producing power, she turned to the right to avoid a tree line ahead of the aircraft. However, the engine again lost power and during the turn the aircraft impacted the ground. The pilot reported no problems with the aircraft or engine prior to the loss of engine power. After the accident a total of 1-3/4 gallons of fuel was recovered from the aircraft. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Incident Report stated: "[The pilot] stated she believed her aircraft was out of fuel and she attempted to make an emergency landing." The aircraft owner's manual notes the unusable fuel quantity as 3-1/2 gallons. According to the pilot's logbook, she had accumulated 29.8 hours total flight time. Total solo flight time recorded was 1.0 hour and 5 landings.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 30 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,340 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 27, 2003; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EOS Neosho MO at 9:30 pm
- Destination: EOS Neosho MO
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.