CHI00LA261

Following a total loss of engine power, the airplane impacted a bean field during a forced landing. No evidence of fuel was found at the accident site by recovery personnel. The engine was run on the airframe, and no mechanical anomalies were found.

On August 17, 2000, at 1131 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N757MF, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged on impact with terrain during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power. The pilot landed the airplane in a bean field located approximately 1/2 mile west of New London, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed from the Hannibal Municipal Airport, Hannibal, Missouri, en route to the Saint Charles County Smartt Airport, Saint Charles, Missouri.

The pilot reported the following in a written statement:

Filled [with] 24.5 gals 100LL [and] took 1 qt oil (I think). Left Hannibal, [Missouri] at 11:15 to St. Charles, [Missouri]. Went down at 11:30. Lost power [and] rpm, applied carburetor heat, still loss of power [and] rpm. Went down in level bean field.

A fuel receipt shows that N757MF was fueled with 13.8 gallons of 100 low lead (100LL) aviation fuel. An employee, of the fixed based operator where the fuel was received from, stated that the pilot obtained fuel at 0900 or 1000 and took off within a half an hour.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Maintenance Inspector, the salvage crew stated, that when the wings were removed, there was no fuel in the fuel lines or the fuel tanks, and that they did not observe any evidence of fuel spillage on the ground where the aircraft was laying upside down. Vegetation in the area of the fuel tanks did not appear damaged from fuel spillage. Following the recovery, the engine was run under the supervision of the FAA.