# NTSB ATL86LA237: Cessna 152, N66989, Charleston, WV, September 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1986, 11:51 local (15:51 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, WV
- Coordinates: 38.35009, -81.629989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3501&lon=-81.6300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA237

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper use of, pilot in command
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - buckled

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT TWICE, ANOTHER PLT FLEW IT ONCE THEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED ANOTHER FLIGHT. HE REPORTED TO APP CONTROL THAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS OUT OF FUEL. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED AND THE ENGINE RAN OK USING THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66989](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66989-1991-04-25), registration cancelled 1991-04-25, S/N 15281708 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281708
- Airframe hours: 383
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-12C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Naomi A. Laird
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1985, 31 hours before
- Departed: I15, LANCASTER, OH
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 150 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 10 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 19860901043589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860901043589A), Sep 1, 1986: Cessna 152, Charleston, WV, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft was damaged during the forced landing.

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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