- Date
- August 3, 1993, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place
- Timpson, TX
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N4816BCessna 152
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930803027549A
- Case key
- 11101
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot in command's failure to refuel resulting in fuel exhustion. Factors were: the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing, and dark night light conditions.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot said prior to takeoff, he noted both fuel tanks were filled to capacity. He departed new orleans,Louisiana, at 2045, en route to arlington, Texas. The engine lost power and the pilot accomplished a no flap forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane struck trees and a fence. The pilot told Texas department of public safety officials that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.
Factual narrative
On August 3, 1993, at approximately 0100 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N4816B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Timpson, Texas. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight.
The following is based on the pilot's accident report. The pilot said he visually checked both fuel tanks and confirmed the fuel level was up to the tank filler neck. He and his father departed Lakefront Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana, at 2045. When the airplane was about 18 miles west of Center, Texas, the pilot noticed the fuel gauges indicated one eighth full, or approximately eight to 10 gallons remaining. The pilot turned around and proceeded back towards the airport at Center. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power and the fuel gauges registered near empty. A no flap landing was accomplished in an open field, but the airplane collided with trees and a fence during the landing roll. According to Texas Department of Public Safety officials, the pilot said the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4816B
- Reported as
- Cessna 152
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15283652
- Airframe hours
- 9,427
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235-L2C, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Cothron Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 28, 1993 · 26 hours before
- Departed
- NEW · New Orleans, LA
- Destination
- F54 · Arlington, TX
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 19
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 114 total · 82 in this make and model · 50 as pilot in command · 29 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LFK, 44 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.