Cessna 150 accident near Ontario, Oregon, July 12, 2018
On July 12, 2018 at about 10:45 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna 150, registered N6908G, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Ontario, Oregon (Ontario Municipal Airport). It was a personal 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
A total loss of engine power during final approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2018 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Ontario, Oregon · Ontario Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 L, built 1970 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N6908G · no longer on the register · serial 15072408
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was on final approach to the destination airport during a solo flight when the engine lost total power. Given the airplane's low altitude, he chose to make an emergency landing in a nearby field, during which the airplane impacted a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane erupted into flames and was consumed by fire. The postcrash fire damage precluded examination of the airplane, and the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined based on the available information.
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 approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 21 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 6 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,114.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 10, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Contidental Motors O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: EUL Caldwell ID at 10:20 pm
- Destination: ONO Ontario OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,006 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KONO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on June 3, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Flight Instructor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.