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Accidents · NTSB LAX94LA280 · Final report

Cessna 150G accident near Tucson, Arizona, July 11, 1994

On July 11, 1994 at about 2:48 pm local time, a Cessna 150G, registered N3003S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tucson, Arizona (Ryan airport). 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

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 11, 1994 · about 2:48 pm local time · cases in 1994
Place
Tucson, Arizona · Ryan · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person had minor injuries.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 150G · all 150Gs on the register
Registration
N3003S · registry record · serial 15066903
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED WITH ABOUT 8 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL TO DO A SERIES OF TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS FOR AN HOUR IN THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA. AFTER THE EIGHTH LANDING AND DURING THE CLIMB OUT, THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY AND THE LEFT WING TANK WAS DAMAGED WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

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: student
  • Flight time: 46 hours in all; 46 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 12 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 8,985 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, June 14, 1994; 20 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
  • Operator: Windwalker Aviation

The flight

  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 6L, 4,900 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 060° at 5 knots, gusting 10
  • Visibility: 40 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
  • Observation at 2:50 pm from TU

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

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The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/LAX94LA280.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.