# NTSB CEN09CA280: Cessna 152, N4590K, Opelousas, LA, May 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2009, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Opelousas, LA - Coordinates: 30.669721, -92.101112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6697&lon=-92.1011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73784/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73784 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA280 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was 500 feet above ground level on approach to his destination airport when the single-engine airplane lost power. The pilot made a forced landing to a rain-soaked field approximately 8 miles north of the runway. On touchdown the nose gear sank into the muddy terrain and collapsed. According to the pilot the airplane had approximately 15 gallons of fuel on board upon departure. An on-scene inspection of the fuel tanks indicated 2 1/2 gallons in the left tank and 1 gallon in the right tank. The aircraft manual states 1 1/2 gallons of fuel is unusable in the tanks. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot and passenger were not injured. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was 500 feet above ground level on approach to his destination airport when the single-engine airplane lost power. The pilot made a forced landing to a rain-soaked field approximately 8 miles north of the runway. On touchdown the nose gear sank into the muddy terrain and collapsed. According to the pilot the airplane had approximately 15 gallons of fuel on board upon departure. An on-scene inspection of the fuel tanks indicated 2 1/2 gallons in the left tank and 1 gallon in the right tank. The aircraft manual states 1 1/2 gallons of fuel is unusable in the tanks. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot and passenger were not injured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4590K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4590K-2009-09-25), registration cancelled 2009-09-25, S/N 15280319 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15280319 - Airframe hours: 7070 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: T & M Aviation, INC - Registered owner: Thomas Wolf Trucking Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 2009 - Departed: M79, Rayville, LA - Destination: KOPL, Opelousas, LA - Airport: KOPL, St Landry Parish Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,015 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KOPL, 8 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73784. 524 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 524 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.