Cessna 150M accident near Hillsboro, Oregon, September 16, 1991
On September 16, 1991 at about 10:42 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N714RK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hillsboro, Oregon (Portland-Hillsboro 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
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 16, 1991 · about 10:42 pm local time
- Place
- Hillsboro, Oregon · Portland-Hillsboro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N714RK · no longer on the register · serial 15079373
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT REFUELED AT HIS FIRST STOP ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, RATHER THAN AT THE SECOND STOP AS RECOMMENDED BY HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. AS HE WAS APPROACHING TO LAND AT HIS FINAL DESTINATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN TREES ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN EACH OF THE TWO WING TANKS. UNUSABLE FUEL FOR THIS AIRCRAFT WAS 3.5 GALLONS.
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: 80 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MFR Medford OR at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:46 pm from HIO, 1 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.