Cessna 150L accident near Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1998
On May 24, 1998 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150L, registered N6562G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft prior to departing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 1998 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Blakeslee, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150L · all 150Ls on the register
- Registration
- N6562G · registry record · serial 15072062
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After flying from Oswego, New York, to Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and thence to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the pilot reported that he observed the fuel gages in the cockpit indicate the airplane's right fuel tank was 3/8 full, and the left fuel tank was 'a little less then 1/4 full, about 1/8 full.' He did not visually check the fuel quantity. The pilot did not add any fuel to the airplane after departing Oswego, although aviation gasoline was available from fixed base operators located at both Honesdale and Hazleton. About 15 to 30 minutes after takeoff, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was able to restart the engine for about 25 seconds, before it lost power again. During a forced landing to a field, the airplane impacted the tops of trees and came to rest in a wooded area. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. About 2 1/2 gallons of fuel was found in the airplane's fuel system. According to the Airplane Information Manual (AIM), the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 3.5 gallons were unusable. The AIM, Section I, Before Starting Engine Checklist stated in part, 'visually check fuel quantity, then check filler cap secure.'
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: 220 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,995 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HZL Hazleton PA at 3:10 pm
- Destination: N30 Cherry Ridge PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from AVP, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.