# NTSB ERA16LA193: Cessna 152, N952SA, Melrose, FL, May 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 2016, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Melrose, FL - Coordinates: 29.718334, -81.980552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7183&lon=-81.9806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Textron Aviation, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93236/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93236 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA193 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis When the private pilot was about 1 hour into a cross-country personal flight, as the airplane was descending to the destination airport, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot prepared for an approach to a nearby field and attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane came to rest upright in swampy terrain and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and nose section. Examination of the wreckage after recovery revealed that both wing fuel tanks remained intact, and no fuel was observed in either fuel tank or the carburetor. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the airplane's flight records, the fueling records, and the operator's account of the airplane's flight and fueling history revealed contradictory information that could not be reconciled, so the reason for the lack of fuel could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2016, at 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N952SA, operated by Sunrise Aviation, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power while maneuvering near Melrose, Florida. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Ormond Beach Municipal Airport (OMN), Ormond Beach, Florida, about 1500, destined for the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Gainesville, Florida.According to the pilot, he began a descent from 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl) to 1,100 feet msl, about 13 nautical miles east of GNV. He indicated that he followed the descent checklist to include enrichening the mixture, applying the carburetor heat, and reducing the power to 1,500 rpm. As he leveled off at 1,100 msl, the engine shut down without warning. The pilot then prepared for an approach to a nearby field, and attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. He did not recall any further details about the landing. The airplane subsequently came to rest upright in swampy terrain and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and nose section. The empennage was fractured and partially separated aft of the cabin area. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site but was unable to examine the wreckage due to the terrain surrounding the site. The operator was self-insured and recovered the wreckage back to a hangar at OMN. The operator stated that during recovery, no fuel was in one fuel tank, he couldn't tell if any fuel was in the other fuel tank, and there was no odor of fuel at the accident site. The wreckage was examined after recovery by a National Transportation Safety Board investigator. Both fuel tanks remained intact and were absent of fuel. Additionally, no fuel was found in the carburetor. Continuity of the crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, and continuity to the rear accessory section on the engine was confirmed through rotation of the propeller. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. When asked about fueling, the operator stated that the airplane was last fueled on May 11, 2016 and hadn't flown until the accident flight. The operator added that the airplane had only flown once during May 2016 (the accident flight) and he produced an airplane flight log sheet for the month, which only listed the accident flight on it. However, review of fueling records for May 10 and 11, 2016, revealed that the accident airplane was fueled three times on May 10, 2016 and two times on May 11, 2016. Additionally, the pilot and the operator did not report how much fuel was onboard the accident airplane at the beginning of the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N952SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N952SA-2016-08-08), registration cancelled 2016-08-08, S/N 15280667, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES) - 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: 15280667 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 9300.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sunrise Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Sunrise Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 2016, 1 hours before - Departed: OMN, ORMOND BEACH, FL - Destination: GNV, GAINESVILLE, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 30 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: K42J, 8 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 20160523006129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160523006129A), May 23, 2016: Cessna 152, Melrose, FL, Destroyed. 05/23/2016 P.I.c. was scheduled for two (2), three (3) hour time building part 61 flights betweeen (08:00 - 11:00 & 15:00 - 18:00 local)and assigned to fly… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93236. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 946 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Operator Statement (item 3, .PDF, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Conversation with Flight School Owner (item 5, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Conversation%20with%20Flight%20School%20Owner-Master.PDF - Fuel Log 5-10/11 2016 (item 6, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Log%205-10%2F11%202016-Master.PDF - Airplane Flight Log (item 7, .PDF, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Flight%20Log-Master.PDF - Excerpt From Maintenance Records (item 8, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469673&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20From%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 9, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo (item 10, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 11, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.