Cessna 150J accident near Fairmount, Georgia, August 22, 2009
On August 22, 2009 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Cessna 150J, registered N61022, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Fairmount, Georgia. It was a personal 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 total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a contaminated fuel strainer.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 2009 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Fairmount, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150J · all 150Js on the register
- Registration
- N61022 · no longer on the register · serial 15070740
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight the student pilot observed a loss of engine power. He applied carburetor heat for about 30 seconds with no improvement in engine performance. When the engine stopped running, he performed a forced landing in a cow pasture. During the landing, the airplane struck a tree, resulting in structural damage to the left wing spar. During examination of the wreckage the fuel strainer was opened and approximately 2 tablespoons of a moist, powdery substance were found inside, and some had adhered to the internal fuel screen. The origin of the substance was not determined, however the airplane was stored outside and had not been flown for several months following the last annual inspection.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 180 hours in all; 165 in this make and model; 180 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,734 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 26, 2008; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 0-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 47A Canton GA at 9:40 pm
- Destination: RMG Rome GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from RMG, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.