# NTSB CHI85LA329: Cessna 152, N67455, Rockford, IL, July 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1985, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, IL
- Coordinates: 42.350341, -89.149726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3503&lon=-89.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA329

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT ORIGINALLY PLANNED A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM JANESVILLE, WI, TO CHAMPAIGN, IL, TO GALESBURG, IL & BACK TO JANESVILLE. THE TOTAL ROUTE OF FLT WAS APRX 390 MI. THE PLT HAD CALCULATED THAT HE NEEDED 3-3/4 HRS OF FUEL. AT CHAMPAIGN, HE PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL 5 GAL OF FUEL. HOWEVER, ABOUT 26 MI SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER & QUIT RUNNING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT TRIED TO REACH A NEARBY ARPT, BUT WAS UNABLE. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT A TREE WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N67455 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281814
- Airframe hours: 1114
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jab Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1985
- Departed: GBG, GALESBURG, IL
- Destination: JVL, JANESVILLE, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RFD, Greater Rockford, runway 18, 8,199 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19850727034389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850727034389A), Jul 27, 1985: Cessna 152, Rockford, IL, Substantial damage. Students fuel was exhausted on solo cross country. Landed in a field where wingtip struck a tree.

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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