# NTSB ATL90LA013: Cessna 152, N67318, Kinston, NC, October 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1989, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Kinston, NC
- Location: 35.2751° N, 77.5934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kinston, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2751&lon=-77.5934&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA013

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO DEPART FOR HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED FUEL, AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE  COMMUNICATIONS RADIO WHICH RESULTED IN HIS CIRCLING THE AIRPORT AND EXHAUSTING ALL FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - communications equipment - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PILOT DEPARTED WITH 2 TO 3 INCHES OF FUEL IN EACH TANK FOR THE 21.5 MI FLIGHT TO OBTAIN FUEL. UPON ARRIVAL NEAR DESTINATION, CONTACT COULD NOT BE MADE WITH THE CONTROL TOWER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TOWER HE REALIZED HE NOW HAD A VERY LOW FUEL STATE. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ROLLOUT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND THE COMMUNICATION RADIOS WERE FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67318-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N 15281749 (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: 15281749
- Airframe hours: 3196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Money Breuer, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1989, 22 hours before
- Departed: PGV, GREENVILLE, NC
- Airport: ISO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 19 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISO, 3 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 19891025042849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891025042849A), Oct 25, 1989: Cessna 152, Kinston, NC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel while circling airport after unable to contact tower. Nosed over landing.

## Other investigations on N67318 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL94LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA134), Jul 9, 1994: Cessna 152 (N67318), Chamblee, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OPERATOR, WORN PISTON RINGS, AND FAILURE TO OVERHAUL THE ENGINE WHEN DUE.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.