# NTSB ATL93LA051: Cessna 152, N25865, Salisbury, NC, January 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1993, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Salisbury, NC
- Coordinates: 35.660076, -80.48088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6601&lon=-80.4809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA051

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND EXHAUSTED THE AIRPLANE FUEL SUPPLY.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED THE 1ST STOP OF A TWO STOP CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. SHE DISCOVERED AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES THAT SHE WAS OFF COURSE. COURSE DEVIATIONS WERE MADE LOOKING FOR A RECOGNIZABLE LANDMARK, WITHOUT SUCCESS. A GRASS STRIP WAS LOCATED WITH TWO TRAILERS. AFTER LANDING, NO ONE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRAILERS. A PASSING TRUCK DRIVER, ON A NEARBY HIGHWAY, WAS STOPPED TO ASK DIRECTIONS. SHE TOOK OFF AGAIN BUT WAS STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE LANDMARKS SHE KNEW. ASSISTANCE WAS THEN REQUESTED FROM CHARLOTTE TOWER, WHO VECTORED HER TOWARD SALISBURY. SHE ENTERED THE LANDING PATTERN AT SALISBURY, MANEUVERING TO AVOID ANOTHER AIRPLANE IN THE PATTERN. AS THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED ONTO THE BASE LEG, POWER WAS ADDED TO SLOW THE DESCENT RATE & THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE HIT A DIRT BERM DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25865](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25865-2011-09-29), registration cancelled 2011-09-29, S/N 15280827, built 1977 (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: 15280827
- Airframe hours: 3892
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcclure Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: Mcclure Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1992, 55 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CONCORD, NC
- Destination: 5N4, LINCOLNTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 88 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RVQ, 1 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 19930114001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930114001579A), Jan 14, 1993: Cessna 152, Salisbury, NC, Substantial damage. Became lost en route and ran out of fuel on final for vectored airport. Failed to refuel at last stop.

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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