# NTSB CHI87LA001: Cessna 152, N5488B, West Chicago, IL, October 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1986, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: West Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.879962, -88.220321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8800&lon=-88.2203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft service - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ASSUMED HE HAD FULL FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT FOR APPROXIMATELY 4.4 HOURS. JUST PRIOR TO HIS FINAL LANDING HE WAS FORCED TO GO AROUND DUE TO AN AIRCRAFT ON THE RUNWAY. FOLLOWING THIS GO AROUND HE ESTABLISHED HIMSELF ON BASE LEG. AT THIS POINT HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN FOR 1.1 HOURS TWO DAYS AFTER IT WAS FULLY FUELED AND EIGHT DAYS PRIOR TO HIS 4.4 HOUR FLIGHT. THEREFORE THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 5.6 HOURS WHEN IT RAN OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5488B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5488B-1995-08-19), registration cancelled 1995-08-19, S/N 15283883 (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: 283883
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Travel Express Aviation
- Registered owner: Raymond Golembiewski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 19, 1986
- Airport: DPA, Dupage, runway 33, 3,401 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 57 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 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 19861005048949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861005048949A), Oct 5, 1986: Cessna 152, Chicago/West Ch, IL, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion on base leg and the aircraft struck a building. Student pilot.

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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