# NTSB DFW05CA234: Cessna 152, N68440, Galveston, TX, September 9, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2005, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Galveston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.618333, -94.986663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6183&lon=-94.9867&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA234

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decisions, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.  A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

During the preflight inspection, the 305-hour private pilot visually inspected both fuel tanks and estimated that he would have enough fuel for two hours of flight with an additional twenty-minute fuel reserve.  The pilot then departed and climbed to 5,500 feet to perform as an air traffic relay station in support of helicopters operating in the Gulf of Mexico.  Upon completion of his mission, while the airplane was descending back to the originating airport, the engine lost power.  The pilot elected to land in a marshy field and during the landing roll the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in an inverted position.  No fuel was present when the airplane's wings were removed for recovery.  The tachometer reading recorded by the pilot before takeoff was 770.9 hours and was noted as 773.2 hours at the accident site.  The total elapsed time was two hours and twenty minutes.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68440](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68440-2012-04-04), registration cancelled 2012-04-04, S/N 15282297, 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: 15282297
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2005
- Departed: T41, La Porte, TX
- Destination: T41

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 2 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: GLS, 17 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 20050909020899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050909020899A), Sep 9, 2005: Cessna 152, Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 09/09/2005 at approximately 11:15 CDT a Cessna, model 152, s/n 152882297 was substantially damaged during an emergency landing into a field, due to a…

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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