# NTSB ANC91LA092: Cessna 152, N6276P, Woodchopper Crk, AK, July 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1991, 03:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodchopper Crk, AK
- Coordinates: 65.790184, -144.199508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.7902&lon=-144.1995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA092

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.  THE AIRPLANCE NOSED OVER WHEN THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON AN UNPREPARED TERRAIN.  NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANKS OR SYSTEM.  AFTER ADDING FUEL, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6276P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6276P), registered now, S/N 15284993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284993
- Airframe hours: 4621
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark W. Sayre
- Registered owner: Gary D. Hem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 27, 1991, 22 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 157 total, 98 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910706028199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910706028199A), Jul 6, 1991: Cessna 152, Woodchopper Ck, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power. Nosed over landing. Fuel tanks were empty. Flying club owner reported aircraft stolen by club member.

## Other investigations on N6276P (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 ANC86LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA102), Jul 6, 1986: Cessna 152 (N6276P), Nenana, AK, substantial damage

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.

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