Cessna 150K accident near Flagstaff, Arizona, July 4, 1991
On July 4, 1991 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150K, registered N64556, was substantially damaged in an accident near Flagstaff, Arizona (Pulliam Field). 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
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING OF FUEL REQUIREMENTS TO ACCOMPLISH THE INTENDED FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE FENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 1991 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Flagstaff, Arizona · Pulliam Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150K · all 150Ks on the register
- Registration
- N64556 · registry record · serial 15071955
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A CESSNA 150K COLLIDED WITH FENCE AND NOSED OVER IN AN OPEN FIELD AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. THREE HOURS LATER THE ENGINE LOSS POWER. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND THE INTENDED DESTINATION IS ABOUT 344 NM. THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK LISTS UNDER THE PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS THE AIRPLANE'S RANGE IS 340 NAUTICAL MILES IN 3.3 HOURS, USING 75 PERCENT ENGINE POWER AT A 7000 FOOT PRESSURE ALTITUDE. FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS DICTATE PILOT'S BEFORE BEGINNING A FLIGHT BECOME FAMILIAR WITH FUEL REQUIREMENTS, AND HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO FLY TO THE FIRST POINT OF INTENDED LANDING AND FLY AFTER THAT FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES.
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: 600 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Q58 Santa Rosa NM at 1:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from FLG, 13 miles away
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.