# NTSB FTW89LA113: Cessna 152, N24258, Kaufman, TX, June 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1989, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Kaufman, TX
- Coordinates: 32.579494, -96.29985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5795&lon=-96.2999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA113

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT INADVERTENTLY BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED AND EXHAUSTING THE FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS SENT ON A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH AN AIRPLANE THAT WAS LESS THAN FULL. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN 1.5 HOURS SINCE IT HAD BEEN TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL. HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE FOR ONE HOUR AND FIFTY MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINE STOPPED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ON THE ROAD, THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE SIDE, HIT A DITCH AND THEN A UTILITY POLE. LATER IT WAS DETERMINED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN 2.5 HOURS BEFORE THE STUDENT PILOT RECEIVED IT FOR HIS FLIGHT. HE WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT AIRBORNE LONGER THAN NORMAL FOR THE AMOUNT OF FUEL HE STARTED WITH. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED HE HAD BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE HIS AIRPORT DUE TO FLOODED CONDITIONS AND A FAULTY RADIO, AND THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24258](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24258-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 15280178, 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: 15280178
- Airframe hours: 4640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cothron Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Cothron Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1989, 76 hours before
- Departed: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Destination: TYR, TYLER, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 47 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890611015199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890611015199A), Jun 11, 1989: Cessna 152, Kaufman, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on crosscountry. Landed on a road, ran off hit ditch and a pole. CFI misjudged fuel supply for trip.

## Other investigations on N24258 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW87LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA141), Jun 12, 1987: Cessna 152 (N24258), Arlington, TX, substantial damage

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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