# NTSB ATL86LA012: Cessna 152, N48987, Parkersburg, WV, October 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1985, 20:46 local (Oct 28, 1985, 01:46 UTC)
- Place: Parkersburg, WV
- Location: 39.3736° N, 81.4445° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MID-OHIO VALLEY RGNL (PKB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3736&lon=-81.4445&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE ON A BASELEG FOR LANDING. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A CORN FIELD APPROX 1.5 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY BECAUSE HE DID NOT THINK HE COULD MAKE IT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PLT WAS RETURNING HOME TO CINCINATTI, OH FROM BALTIMORE, MD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48987 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281088
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Co-Op Aircraft Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 6, 1985
- Departed: MTP, BALTIMORE, MD
- Destination: I77, CINCINNATI, OH
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PKB, Wood County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 229 total, 11 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PKB

## 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 19851027054159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851027054159A), Oct 27, 1985: Cessna 152, Parkersburg, WV, Substantial damage. Landed in corn field after fuel was exhausted during straight in approach. Restriction on pilots night flying.

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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