# NTSB BFO91LA080: Cessna 152, N48430, Croom, MD, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1991, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Croom, MD
- Coordinates: 38.73925, -76.840682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7392&lon=-76.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY WAS ON BOARD TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE PRIVATE PILOT TEST. HOWEVER, THE TEST WAS RESCHEDULED AFTER THE EXAMINER DETERMINED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 2 HOURS SHORT OF SOLO TIME. THE PILOT DECIDED TO FLY SO HE COULD FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH THE AREA AND ACQUIRE THE REQUIRED FLIGHT TIME. THE PILOT VISUALLY CHECKED AND USED THE FUEL GAGE TO DETERMINE THE GAGES WERE HALF FULL. ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL SO HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. HE STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48430](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48430-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 15280909, 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
- Airframe hours: 4516
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cfi Incorporated
- Registered owner: Cfi Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1991, 51 hours before
- Departed: WOO, FREEWAY, MD
- Destination: W28, FRIENDLY, MD
- Airport: W28, Potomac Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 61 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 8 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 19910908038709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910908038709A), Sep 8, 1991: Cessna 152, Friendly, MD, Substantial damage. Private test rescheduled. Lacked two hours solo. Ran out of fuel practicing for those two hours. Landed off airport

## Other investigations on N48430 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL91LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA119), Jun 29, 1991: Cessna 188 (N48430), Muscle Shoals, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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