# NTSB BFO88FIG01: Cessna 152, N5269H, Annapolis, MD, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Annapolis, MD
- Coordinates: 38.969917, -76.499946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9699&lon=-76.4999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FIG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FIG01

## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STU & INSTR WERE RETURNING TO MITCHELLVILLE AFTER DOING SEVERAL TOUCH & GO LANDINGS AT STEVENSVILLE. THE ACFT WAS LEVEL AT 1700 FT WHEN A POWER LOSS OCCURRED. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE INSTR TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT AND LANDED IN A MARSHY BOG. THE ACFT CONTINUED INTO A CREEK AND NOSED OVER. THE INSTR AND STU EXITED THE ACFT ASSISTED BY FISHERMAN. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS LESS THAN 1 GAL OF FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE STU SAID THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED ONE-QUARTER AND ONE-HALF FULL TANKS DURING THE PREFLIGHT. SINCE THE ACFT WAS LAST REFUELED IT WAS FLOWN 4.6 HRS INCLUDING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WHICH WAS 1.3 HRS LONG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5269H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5269H-2017-09-08), registration cancelled 2017-09-08, S/N 15284076, built 1979 (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: 15284076
- Airframe hours: 2870
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Freeway Airport, doing business as Freeway Airport, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dr. Scimonelli & J. R. Serone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 1988, 55 hours before
- Departed: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD
- Destination: W00, MITCHELLVILLE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 412 total, 69 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 21 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 19880417009429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417009429A), Apr 17, 1988: Cessna 152, Annapolis, MD, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on an instructional flight. Ditched in a swampy bay and nosed over. Failed to ascertain fuel status

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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