# NTSB ATL86LA031: Cessna 152, N45920, Huntsville, AL, November 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1985, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Location: 34.7304° N, 86.5861° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Huntsville, AL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7304&lon=-86.5861&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): 7039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT ELECTED NOT TO REFUEL AT HIS PROPOSED REFUELING POINT AND CONTINUED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT. WHILE ON A VISUAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45920](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45920-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 15282944, built 1978 (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: 15282944
- Airframe hours: 1839
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard D.Langsdale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1984, 62 hours before
- Departed: CTY, CROSS CITY, FL
- Destination: M82, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Airport: M82, Huntsville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,488 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,378 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 15 nm away

## 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 19851124061349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851124061349A), Nov 24, 1985: Cessna 152, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Loss of power on final approach due to fuel exhaustion. Landed in field short of runway.

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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