# NTSB DEN89FA177: Cessna 152, N46260, Logan, UT, July 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1989, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Logan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.72005, -111.840629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7201&lon=-111.8406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA177

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, AND THE STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT TOOK THE ACFT ON A FLT WITHOUT HAVING IT REFUELED & COMMENCED TO PRACTICE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT AFTER THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM A TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE ACFT BEGAN TURNING, THEN IT ENTERED A STEEP SPIRALING DESCENT & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN TWO PREVIOUS FLTS SINCE IT WAS LAST REFUELED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR & ONLY 'A CUP OR TWO' OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46260](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46260-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 15283023, 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: 15283023
- Airframe hours: 2967
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Logan Air Service
- Registered owner: Dan Jones & Janet Mangini
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 21, 1989, 9 hours before
- Departed: LGU
- Destination: LGU
- Airport: LGU, Logan Cache, runway 35, 5,931 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19890724025139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890724025139A), Jul 24, 1989: Cessna 152, Logan, UT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel in airport pattern. Stalled in steep turn to the runway. Spiraled to near vertical ground impact.

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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