# NTSB BFO92LA034: Cessna 150, N5258Q, Lynchburg, VA, March 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1992, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.3596, -79.219581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3596&lon=-79.2196&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 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA034

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION MAKING RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVERALL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## Analysis

DURING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, ORIGINATING FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, FLYING TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA, ON TO FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA, WITH A FINAL DESTINATION OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, THE STUDENT PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO THE WRONG MAGNETIC HEADING AFTER TAKEOFF FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN AIRPORT. THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS OFF COURSE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. THE PILOT CONTACTED FARMVILLE AIRPORT AND DESCRIBED THE TERRAIN BELOW HIM TO THE AIRPORT PERSONNEL. THEY BELIEVED HE WAS JUST OUTSIDE FARMVILLE, AND THAT THE AIRPORT WAS BEYOND THE CITY HE WAS FLYING OVER. THE STUDENT PILOT STARTED TO HEAD TOWARDS THE DESCRIBED AIRPORT WHEN HIS ENGINE QUIT. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT, STRIKING A HEDGE AND AN UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE, BEFORE COMING TO REST. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THAT THERE WAS ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED NEAR LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, 40 NAUTICAL MILES WEST OF FARMVILLE.

## 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
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - vehicle

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5258Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5258Q-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 15073158, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073158
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Norfolk Navy Flying Club
- Registered owner: Randall G Robins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1992, 81 hours before
- Departed: RWI, ROCKY MOUNT, NC
- Destination: FVX, FARMVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920312006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920312006159A), Mar 12, 1992: Cessna 150L, Lynchburg, VA, Substantial damage. Solo crosscounty. Turned to wrong magneic heading leaving rwi for fvx. Off couse. Lost power ldg parking lot. No fuel.

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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