Cessna 150M accident near Fillmore, California, October 2, 1995
On October 2, 1995 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N63522, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fillmore, California. It was an instructional 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 CFI's failure to adequately supervise the flight; and the student pilot's poor preflight planning/preparation and fuel consumption calculations.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 1995 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fillmore, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N63522 · no longer on the register · serial 15077369
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRPLANE CONTAINED 18 GALLONS OF FUEL (3 GALLONS UNUSABLE) WHEN THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED ON THE ROUND ROBIN SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. ON THE RETURN LEG OF THE FLIGHT THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL WHEN IT ENTERED A RIVER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THE WING FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAT 4 GALLONS. THE MEAN FUEL CONSUMPTION AT ALTITUDE (NOT INCLUDING TAKEOFF, CLIMBS, AND LANDING) IS 5.7 GPH. THE ACTUAL FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATION FOR THE FLIGHT WAS 5.8 GALLONS PER HOUR.
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: 48 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 18 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L71 California City CA at 10:30 pm
- Destination: CMA Camarillo CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.