Date: 201711
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Marginal
Weather elements / visibility: 5
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Ferry / Re-Positioning
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was the sole person on board. I had just purchased this aircraft and was not familiar with its unique flying characteristics. I conducted a full pre-flight inspection. In so doing; I verified that the aircraft had full fuel; which is about four hours of flying time; and found that its VHF radio was operative. The takeoff went as expected; with no issues. I [departed] VFR. After about 3 hours and fifteen minutes of flying; while on approach to ZZZ; my engine began to sputter. I immediately suspected induction icing due to temperature and visible moisture; but after an inflight check of my systems; I was unable to get the engine to run smoothly. Eventually the engine; completely died; and I was unable to restart it. After the engine died; I stabilized the airplane at the best rate of glide. I was not near any airports and was not flying very high. I spotted a hard surface roadway and landed the Cessna 150 without any incident or damage to the airplane. It was decided that the aircraft should be towed to the nearest airport for mechanical assessment. I was not cited or arrested for landing on the highway. I believe that the cause of the engine failure was carburetor icing and low fuel. I had just purchased this Cessna 150; and this was my first time flying [it] cross country. I verified that it had full fuel on board before departing and it should have been able to fly four hours on the full fuel; according to the POH.  Later that day; the airplane was refueled; and I elected to depart and fly on to ZZZ. While I was enroute to ZZZ; I noticed that the ATC approach controllers were not responding to any of my radio ATC transmissions; but I could hear them speaking to me. I attempted to get the Cessna's panel installed radio to work; but it would not. I had a handheld backup radio on board; but it also did not enable me to talk to ATC. Since I had previously experienced the issue with having the less than four hours of fuel available on full tanks; and I had been flying for over three hours by that time; I elected to land at ZZZ1. After landing; I was instructed to call the ATC tower; which I did once the airplane was safely on the ground. I was told that the ATC personnel believe I had committed a pilot deviation; however; I was taking reasonable steps to ensure the safety of my aircraft and myself as the sole occupant. Once at ZZZ; the airplane was taken to the FBO. It remains there now; awaiting repairs. I am a safe pilot; and the issues that I encountered presented challenges to my safety; which I correctly handled.




Synopsis: C150 pilot reported an off field landing due to loss of engine power. After refueling; the following flight experienced radio problems that resulted in landing without a clearance.