# NTSB DEN89LA042: Cessna 152, N49209, Greeley, CO, December 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1988, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.44001, -104.66938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4400&lon=-104.6694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. SHE SAID THAT 3 MILES FROM HER DESTINATION, THE ENGINE QUIT WHEN THE PLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL. A LANDING ON AN ICE COVERED ASPHALT ROAD WAS PERFORMED. DURING ROLL OUT, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE ACFT SWUNG AROUND 180 DEG AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49209](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49209-2010-02-18), registration cancelled 2010-02-18, S/N 15281194, built 1977 (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: 15281194
- Airframe hours: 3970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air Link, Inc
- Registered owner: James A Rutz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1988, 85 hours before
- Departed: AIA, ALLIANCE, NE
- Destination: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GXY, Greeley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 127 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 32 knots, gusting 47
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 9 °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 19881216054609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881216054609A), Dec 16, 1988: Cessna 152, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel three miles short of destination. Landing on icy road struck a pole. Blamed excessive head wind.

## Other investigations on N49209 (3)

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 FTW95LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA324), Jul 29, 1995: Cessna 152 (N49209), Raton, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE FLAPS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT.
- [NTSB DEN88LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA019), Nov 4, 1987: Cessna 152 (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN86LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA036), Dec 1, 1985: Cessna 152 II (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage

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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