# NTSB ATL85LA155: Cessna 152, N6097M, Ozark, AL, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1985, 20:36 local (May 8, 1985, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Ozark, AL
- Coordinates: 31.430376, -85.639076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4304&lon=-85.6391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM OZARK, AL TO COLUMBIA, SC & RETURN. HE USED 22 GAL OF FUEL EN ROUTE TO COLUMBIA. BEFORE RETURNING, HE REFUELED THE ACFT TO ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 24.5 USABLE GALS. HOWEVER, ON THE RETURN FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED HEADWINDS, DID NOT LEAN HIS MIXTURE & WAS VECTORED AROUND THUNDERSTORMS. BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT KNOCKED DOWN A POWER LINE & DAMAGED AN OAT CROP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6097M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6097M), registered now, S/N 15284621, built 1980 (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
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Alabama Aviation & Techn.Col.
- Registered owner: Alabama Aviation And Tech Coll
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 7, 1984, 48 hours before
- Departed: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 158 total, 158 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 71J

## 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 19850507017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850507017699A), May 7, 1985: Cessna 152, Ozark, AL, Substantial damage. Struck powerline while landing in field after engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Pilots fuel estimates wrong.

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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