Cessna 150J accident near Sharonville, Ohio, July 28, 1985
On July 28, 1985 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150J, registered N51405, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sharonville, Ohio (Blue Ash airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 1985 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sharonville, Ohio · Blue Ash · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150J · all 150Js on the register
- Registration
- N51405 · no longer on the register · serial 15069986
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG QUIT 4 HRS INTO THE FLT DUE TO 'APPARENT FUEL EXHAUSTION.' HE HAD ENTERED THE BLUE ASH TRAFFIC PATTERN INSTEAD OF GOING TO HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION BECAUSE HIS FUEL GAGES READ 1/8 FULL INSTEAD OF 1/4 FULL AS HE HAD EXPECTED. THE ENG STOPPED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT 800 FEET AGL. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE PLT STALLED THE PLANE INTO THE TREES & IT FELL TO THE GROUND AFTER TREE IMPACT. HE PLANNED HIS FUEL ON DATA IN THE PLT'S HANDBOOK WHICH CALLED FOR AN ENDURANCE TIME OF OVER 5 HRS AT 45% POWER. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 12 DEG ABOVE STANDARD. THE HANDBOOK SAID TO INCREASE FUEL CONSUMPTION 10% FOR EVERY 8 DEG ABOVE STANDARD DAY TEMPERATURE.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 176 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 143 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ACB Bellaire MI at 7:30 pm
- Destination: LUK Cincinnati OH
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.