# NTSB DEN92LA023: Cessna 152, N774WS, Falcon, CO, January 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1992, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Falcon, CO
- Coordinates: 39.029018, -104.290138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0290&lon=-104.2901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA023

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  FACTORS WERE:  PILOT INEXPERIENCE AND BECOMING LOST AND DISORIENTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING FLIGHT AND BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED.  HE FLEW BY HIS INTENDED DESTINATION AND CONTINUED UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  A LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N774WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N774WS-2014-05-09), registration cancelled 2014-05-09, S/N 15279971, 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: 152799971
- Airframe hours: 1051
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick Clayton
- Registered owner: Dan Bauer/Precision Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1991, 6 hours before
- Departed: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Destination: IV5, BOULDER, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 17 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920104000179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920104000179A), Jan 4, 1992: Cessna 152, Falcon, CO, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning to base. Nosed over on forced landing. Had become lost and lost track of fuel range.

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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