# NTSB BFO92LA110: Cessna 152, N93361, Belmont, NH, July 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1992, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Belmont, NH
- Location: 43.4405° N, 71.4789° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Belmont, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4405&lon=-71.4789&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA110

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A SUPERVISED SOLO CROSS COUNTRY, THE FLIGHT WAS DIVERTED FROM THE PLANNED FLIGHT ROUTE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS GREATER THAN WHAT SHE HAD PLANNED FOR.  THE PILOT SAID SHE REALIZED THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO MAKE HER NEXT DESTINATION, SO SHE STARTED TO DIVERT TO AN ALTERNATE LANDING SITE.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AT APPROXIMATELY 2,000 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL, THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.  THE PILOT REPORTED THERE WERE NO AIRPLANE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.  THE PILOT STATED IN THE RECOMMENDATION SECTION OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT, ' (1) THINGS DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED: PLAN FUEL STOPS FOR WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO, AND (2) MONITORED MORE CLOSELY THE TIME SPENT IN THE AIR INSTEAD OF WHAT THE FUEL GAUGES READ.'  THE PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE ASSUMED SHE WOULD REFUEL AFTER THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED, IN HINDSIGHT, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHEN AND WHERE THE PILOT SHOULD REFUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93361](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93361-2007-01-04), registration cancelled 2007-01-04, S/N 15285473, 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: 15285473
- Airframe hours: 5170
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sanford Air Incorporated
- Registered owner: Sanford Air Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: BGR, BANGOR, ME
- Destination: CON, CONCORD, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 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 19920722050279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920722050279A), Jul 22, 1992: Cessna 152, Belmont, NH, Substantial damage. Student failed to refuel en route on solo crosscountry. Ran out of fuel. CFI did not specify fuel 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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