# NTSB CHI90LA176: Cessna 152, N6095M, California, MO, July 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1990, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: California, MO
- Coordinates: 38.629936, -92.559043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6299&lon=-92.5590&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 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA176

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE STUDENT PILOTS LACK OF FUEL USE AWARENESS AND INADEQUATE TRAINING REGARDING CROSS COUNTRY FUEL CONSUMPTION PLANNING AND AWARENESS.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, other institution (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER DURING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT HER PLANNED DESTINATION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SHE LANDED AT AN AIRPORT. DURING HER RETURN FLIGHT TO THE HOME AIRPORT SHE ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE WEATHER. DURING HER SECOND DIVERSIONARY ACTION HER AIRPLANE'S ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE TOTAL FLYING TIME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DAYS ACTIVITY WAS 3.0 HOURS. THE HOURLY RANGE FOR HER AIRPLANE, BASED ON THE PILOTS OPERATING HANDBOOK, IS APPROXIMATELY 4.2 HOURS. THE AIRPLANE IS PART OF A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE LETTER WHICH EMPHASIZES THE NEED TO LEAN THE FUEL MIXTURE WHILE IN FLIGHT. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD NOT LEANED THE MIXTURE PROPERLY AND WAS NOT TRAINED TO DO SO. THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON A DOWNWARD SLOPING, TIERED PASTURE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6095M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6095M-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 15284620, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284620
- Airframe hours: 4697
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: St. Charles Flying Service
- Registered owner: St. Charles Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1990, 29 hours before
- Departed: A1Z, BRUMLEY, MO
- Destination: 3SZ, ST. CHARLES, MO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JEF, 20 nm away

## Other investigations on N6095M (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC90LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA042), Jan 8, 1990: Cessna 152 (N6095M), St Charles, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND CONDITION, THE STUDENT'S LACK…

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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