# NTSB ATL97LA125: Cessna 152, N6216Q, West Palm Beach, FL, August 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1997, 00:30 local (04:30 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.720767, -80.070106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7208&lon=-80.0701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3893/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA125 ## Probable cause the flight instructor's (CFI's) inaccurate assessment of fuel available for the flight, and his improper in-flight planning/decision by continuing the training flight with minimal fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. ## 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 - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - other - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The commercial-rated, student pilot stated that they landed the airplane at Orlando Executive Airport to refuel, but found the FBO was closed. He was advised by his instructor (CFI) that he had sufficient fuel for the flight to Palm Beach. They flew to Melbourne International Airport to 'do a touch and go.' While en-route to Palm Beach, the engine lost power, and the CFI took control of the airplane. The CFI declared an emergency due to low fuel, and was vectored to North County Airport, but was unable to reach it. The CFI landed the airplane on a dirt road, and the airplane collided with a mailbox and trees. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 1997, about 0030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6216Q, force landed in a residential area and collided with terrain, 12 miles north-northwest of the Palm Beach International Airport, Florida. The airplane was operated by the commercial student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The instructor and student were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot stated that the engine had quit and they had to make a forced landing. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The student pilot stated that they landed the airplane at Orlando Executive Airport to refuel, but found the FBO was closed. He was advised by his instructor that he had sufficient fuel for the flight to Palm Beach. They flew to Melbourne International Airport to "do a touch and go". While en-route to Palm Beach the engine quit and the instructor took control of the airplane and attempted restart procedures, but failed. The student pilot said, the instructor declared an emergency due to low fuel and was vectored to North County airport, but was unable to make it. The instructor landed the airplane on a dirt road and collided with a mailbox, and trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6216Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6216Q-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 15285198, built 1981 (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: 15285198 - Airframe hours: 14809 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Executive Pilot Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL - Destination: PBI, PALM BEACH, FL - Airport: F45, North County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,250 total, 250 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19970826023719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970826023719A), Aug 26, 1997: Cessna 152, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on dual flight. Had landed at orl for fuel. None available. Countinued. Exhausted fuel enroute to F45. (-23) Cessna 152 departed fxe on instruction… 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.