# NTSB CHI93LA315: Cessna 152, N102CF, Montgomery, IL, August 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1993, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, IL
- Coordinates: 41.720951, -88.339401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7210&lon=-88.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA315

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION WAS A 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
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND WAS UNABLE  TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT AT HIS INTENDED  DESTINATION.  HE CONTIUED TO SEARCH FOR  THE AIRPORT AND EXHAUSTED THE FUEL SUPPLY  ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE.  A FORCED LANDING  WAS CONDUCTED TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN THE  DARK NIGHT.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 1993, at 0030 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N102CF, registered to Flying C Leasing, Ltd. of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by a private rated pilot, experienced a loss of engine power followed by a forced landing into an athletic field.   The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with the terrain.  The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Green Bay, Wisconsin, at 2100 on August 9, 1993.

The pilot stated that he became disoriented while trying to locate the destination airport.  He continued to fly, searching for the airport, until his fuel supply was exhausted.  He then conducted a forced landing in an athletic field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N102CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102CF-2007-01-29), registration cancelled 2007-01-29, S/N 15281991, built 1978 (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: 15281991
- Airframe hours: 5800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cushing Field, Ltd., doing business as Cushing Field Ltd.
- Registered owner: Flying C Leasing, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1993, 4 hours before
- Departed: GRB, GREEN BAY, WI
- Destination: 0C8, NEWARK, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 73 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 10 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 19930810028399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930810028399A), Aug 10, 1993: Cessna 152, Montgomery, IL, Substantial damage. Became lost on night flight. Flew around trying to locate destination until fuel exhaustion. No record asking aid.

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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