# NTSB ATL82DA070: Cessna 152, N159TC, Lusby, MD, March 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1982, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Lusby, MD
- Coordinates: 38.410156, -76.449401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4102&lon=-76.4494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM LEONARDTOWN, MD TO CUMBERLAND, MD TO LANCASTER, PA AND THEN RETURN TO LEONARDTOWN. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE STUDENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO REFUEL AT CUMBERLAND OR LANCASTER BEFORE CONTINUING. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE HAD REQUESTED SERVICES AT LANCASTER, BUT HE RECEIVED NO FUEL. HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAUGES. REPORTEDLY, THE LEFT AND RIGHT GUAGES INDICATED 3/4 AND 3/8 FULL, RESPECTIVELY. THE STUDENT CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS AND BELIEVED THE FUEL GAUGES WERE APPROXIMATELY CORRECT. HOWEVER, WHILE ON THE LAST LEG OF THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A CONCRETE OBJECT AND OVERTURNED. THE 300 PLUS MILE FLIGHT WOULD HAVE TAKEN ABOUT 5 HOURS AND 50 MINUTES TO FLY. THIS WOULD HAVE REQUIRED ABOUT 28 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE USEFUL FUEL LOAD OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS 24.5 GALLONS. NO FUEL WAS PURCHASHED EN ROUTE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N159TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N159TC), registered now, S/N 15280724, built 1977 (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: 152-80724
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: St. Mary'S Aero Service
- Registered owner: Roger T. Coleman
- Departed: LANCASTER, PA
- Destination: LEONARDTOWN, MD
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 47 total, 30 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

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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