# NTSB FTW01LA167: Cessna 152, N50SX, Springdale, AR, July 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2001, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Springdale, AR - Coordinates: 36.17995, -94.139083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1799&lon=-94.1391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA167 ## Probable cause the instructor's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The instructor and student were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the 8th takeoff, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and elected to land in a field near the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted an "unseen ditch." Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the aircraft's fuel tanks contained a total of 0.5 gallons of fuel. The aircraft's pilot operating handbook indicates that there is a total fuel capacity of 26 gallons, of which 1.5 gallons is considered unusable fuel. According to the operator, the pilots did not refuel the airplane prior to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2001, at 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N50SX, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Springdale Municipal Airport, Springdale, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Drake Aviation Academy, Inc., of Springdale, Arkansas. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Springdale Municipal Airport at 1115. According to written statements provided by the instructor and student, they were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the 8th takeoff, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and elected to land in a field near the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted an "unseen ditch," damaging the engine firewall and the right horizontal stabilizer. On July 24, 2001, an FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft. According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft's fuel tanks contained a total of 0.5 gallons of fuel. The aircraft's fuel strainer was examined and found to be clean. The engine's crankshaft continuity was confirmed by manually rotating the crankshaft flange. Thumb compression and valve action were obtained on all 4 cylinders. The engine ignition system was tested and found to operate properly. The aircraft's pilot operating handbook indicates that there is a total fuel capacity of 26 gallons, of which 1.5 gallons is considered unusable fuel. According to the operator, the pilots did not refuel the airplane prior to the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50SX-2008-06-02), registration cancelled 2008-06-02, S/N 15285147, built 1981 (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: 15285147 - Airframe hours: 7646.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Drake Aviation Academy, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2001, 23.8 hours before - Departed: ASG, Springdale, AR - Airport: ASG, Springdale Municipal, runway 18, 5,302 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 1, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 816 total, 55 in this make and model, 735 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9 total, 9 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 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 20010721020599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010721020599A), Jul 21, 2001: Cessna 152, Springdale, AR, No damage. (-23) On July 21, 2001, at 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N50SX, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch during 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. --- 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.