Cessna 150 accident near Knotts Island, North Carolina, February 2, 2019
On February 2, 2019 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna 150, registered N6789F, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Knotts Island, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's improper fuel planning.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 2, 2019 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Knotts Island, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 F, built 1966 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N6789F · no longer on the register · serial 15063389
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing a post-maintenance test flight. The mechanic who conducted the maintenance reported that the pilot performed about 30 minutes of ground testing before departure. The pilot then remained in the airport traffic pattern and conducted several landings before departing the area to conduct maneuvers for about 30 minutes. The pilot reported that, following the maneuvers, the airplane had a complete electrical failure, and, shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power. He performed a forced landing into a marsh, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. About 1 cup of fuel was drained from the fuel system. Both wing fuel tanks were empty of fuel, and there were no signs of fuel leakage. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The reason for the reported electrical failure was not determined; however, given the available information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion.
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 exhaustion during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Inadequate inspection
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 730 hours in all; 21 in this make and model; 86 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 680 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 17, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,836.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 30, 2019; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 SERIES (piston); 2,972 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFQ Suffolk VA at 8:15 pm
- Destination: SFQ Suffolk VA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from KSFQ, 34 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Fueling Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.