# NTSB CHI89LA070: Cessna 152, N66988, Bunker Hill, IL, April 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1989, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Bunker Hill, IL
- Coordinates: 39.039791, -89.950141 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0398&lon=-89.9501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA070

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  SOFT 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 - normal
  - aircraft preflight - 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 - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT DURING A PREFLT, HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAGES, VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS & BELIEVED THE FUEL TANKS WERE ABOUT HALF FULL.  HE TOOK OFF WITHOUT REFUELING THE ACFT.  ABOUT 45 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE STUDENT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER & WAS DAMAGED.  RECORDS SHOWED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 3.8 HRS ON A PREVIOUS FLT, AFTER IT WAS LAST REFUELED.  AT ECONOMY CRUISE, MAX FLT TIME FOR THIS ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 4.22 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66988](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66988-1992-02-27), registration cancelled 1992-02-27, S/N 15281707 (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: 152-81707
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Premier Air Center, Inc
- Registered owner: Lencor Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: ALN, EAST ALTON, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALN, 9 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 19890407006919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890407006919A), Apr 7, 1989: Cessna 152, Bunker Hill, IL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Nosed over landing in a rough field.

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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