# Accident 20210617007809A: Cessna 152, Bridgeport, TX, June 17, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 17, 2021, 09:15 local time
- Place: Bridgeport, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.0900° N, 97.8700° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0900&lon=-97.8700&mi=10
- Aircraft: N68851, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68851-2026-08-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 152 (registry code 2071835, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA278) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210617007809A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT STATED AFTER 1.60 HOURS OF FLIGHT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE RPM'S. PILOT STATED THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY SHUTDOWN RESULTING IN AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD NEAR LAKE BRIDGEPORT.

INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED A FILM OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT WING AND APPROXIMATELY 2 MM OF FUEL IN THE LEFT.

PILOT STATED HE CHECKED THE FUEL ON BOARD AND STATED THERE WAS 3/4 TO A FULL TANK.

INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT FUELING RECORDS, OR LACK THEREOF INDICATE THE LAST TIME FUEL WAS ADDED WAS APPROXIMATELY 2.5 PRIOR TO THE PILOT OPERATING 1.60 HOURS. FUEL QUANTITY ON A C152 IS 24 GALLONS AND AT NORMAL CRUISE POWER SETTING A BURN RATE OF 4 GALLONS PER HOUR. AT THAT BURN RATE AND AMOUNT TIME FLOWN BETWEEN FUELING THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AT THE EXPECTED TIME. INSPECTION OF FUEL INDICATORS REVEALED WITH POWER ON THE AIRCRAFT THE LEVEL GAUGES INDICATED BOTH FUEL TANK WERE EMPTY.

WHEN ASKED TO PRODUCE HIS MEDICAL AND AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ PROVIDED A VALID MEDICAL FROM JUNE 2019. DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION A REVIEW OF ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AIRMEN RECORD IN SPAS INDICATED A MEDICAL DATE OF JUNE 2020 AND THAT HE WAS DENIED A MEDICAL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN21LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA278), Jun 17, 2021: Cessna 152 (N68851), Bridgeport, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inaccurate estimate of the fuel level during his preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and a total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N68851 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19910928050659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910928050659I), Sep 28, 1991: Cessna 152 (N68851), Raleigh, NC. Engine failed on a local flight. Forced landing in a field.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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