# NTSB CHI90LA078: Cessna 152, N4931M, Elkhart, IN, February 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1990, 23:58 local (Feb 13, 1990, 04:58 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Coordinates: 41.719242, -85.980056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7192&lon=-85.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND INADEQUATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER & SUBSEQUENT OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING.  THE STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED WIND ALOFT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. INVESTIGATORS DRAINED A TOTAL OF 1-1/2 GALLONS OF FUEL FROM THE WING FUEL TANKS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED, STRONG HEADWINDS DURING THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4931M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284493
- Airframe hours: 3099
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rachel Diehl, doing business as Cushing Aviation
- Registered owner: Flying C. Lsg., Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Destination: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 12 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 19900212002039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900212002039A), Feb 12, 1990: Cessna 152, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. Strong headwind,ran out of fuel short of destination at night on IFR clearance. Nosed over on forced landing.

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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