# NTSB BFO93LA087: Cessna 152, N68910, Norfolk, VA, May 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1993, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Location: 36.8468° N, 76.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norfolk, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8468&lon=-76.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA087

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S LAST LONG SOLO CROSS COUNTRY TOWARDS ATTAINING HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD COMPLETED THE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS INSTRUCTOR APPROVED THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT.  THE INSTRUCTOR ALSO ADVISED THE STUDENT THAT HE SHOULD, 'TOP OFF THE TANKS.'  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DUE TO NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY TO FILL THE TANKS HE ADDED 5 GALLONS OF FUEL, WHICH HE CONSIDERED WAS ADEQUATE FOR HIS RETURN FLIGHT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT ON HIS RETURN FLIGHT, HE MADE SOME ADDITIONAL LANDINGS EN ROUTE THAT WERE NOT CALCULATED PREVIOUSLY. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT ABOUT 2500 FEET AND 15 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A MARSHY FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 1 PINT OF FUEL IN BOTH TANKS.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD ADDED MORE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68910](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68910-2009-04-29), registration cancelled 2009-04-29, S/N 15282397, built 1978 (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: 15282397
- Airframe hours: 5049
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Rick Aviation
- Registered owner: Rick Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1993, 51 hours before
- Departed: ISO, KINSTON, NC
- Destination: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 70 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 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 19930515013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930515013899A), May 15, 1993: Cessna 152, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel 15 miles short of destination. Funds for 5 gallons fuel at fuel point. Made unscheduled stops.

## Other investigations on N68910 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC00LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA177), Jul 1, 2000: Cessna 152 (N68910), West Point, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

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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