# Accident 20230809018899A: Cessna 152, Manati, PR, August 9, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 9, 2023, 13:00 local time
- Place: Manati, PR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: FHSS
- Location: 18.4734° N, 66.4468° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4734&lon=-66.4468&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5313M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5313M-2025-04-16) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 868 total, 31 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA335) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230809018899A

## Narrative

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

ON AUGUST 9, 2023, THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FERNANDO L. RIBAS DOMINICCI AIRPORT (TJIG), SAN JUAN, PR UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES WITH THE PURPOSE OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION. ON BOARD WAS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT. WHILE ENROUTE CRUISING AT 1500 MSL, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE ATTEMPT TO RE-START WAS UNSUCCESSFUL CAUSING THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO CONDUCT A FORCED LANDING AT AN OPEN GRASS FIELD.

THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE IS NOTED ON THE PROPELLER, NOSE WHEEL, MAIN GEAR AND BOTH WINGS’ AREAS. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SUFFERED A MINOR BRUISE IN THE FOREHEAD AND THE STUDENT PILOT HAD NO INJURIES. NO MAINTENANCE ISSUES WERE FOUND. FUEL STARVATION NOTED ON SITE.

ROOT CAUSE: FAILURE TO PERFORM PROPER FLIGHT PLANNING

## 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 ERA23LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA335), Aug 9, 2023: Cessna 152 (N5313M), Manatí, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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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