Cessna 150 accident near Falmouth, Kentucky, September 28, 2008
On September 28, 2008 at about 5:10 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N4477U, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Falmouth, Kentucky (Gene Snyder Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 28, 2008 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Falmouth, Kentucky · Gene Snyder Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 D · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N4477U · no longer on the register · serial 15060477
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that, on the day before the accident, the airplane had about one-quarter to one-half tank of fuel, and the pilot fueled the airplane with 8 gallons of fuel. He then flew the airplane about 45 minutes, leaving a net increase of 3 gallons of fuel. On the day of the accident, the pilot visually checked the fuel tanks and the fuel gauges which indicated that each tank was about one-half full. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing into a stand of trees. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the accident site found no evidence of fuel odor. However, two witnesses stated that when the airplane was removed from the accident site, a substantial amount of fuel drained out of one of the fuel tanks. Based on the design of the fuel system, the wings likely contained nearly equal amounts of fuel at the time of the accident. Furthermore, based on the fuel consumption chart in the pilot operating handbook, the airplane had sufficient fuel to make this flight.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,212 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 74 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days; 4,322 as pilot in command; 1,245 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 4, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,788 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2008; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K62 Falmouth KY at 5:10 pm
- Destination: K62 Falmouth KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 3,994 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from CVG, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.