# NTSB FTW92LA006: Cessna 152, N5399B, Lubbock, TX, October 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1991, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Coordinates: 33.589321, -101.849136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5893&lon=-101.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA006

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE FBO'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - unreliable
  - maintenance - not performed, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

DURING PREFLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT DISCOVERED WATER IN THE FUEL SAMPLES. HE THEN RECRUITED THE CHIEF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, WHO ASSISTED HIM IN SUMPING THE TANKS UNTIL A SATISFACTORY SAMPLE WAS OBTAINED. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE CHIEF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO VERIFY THE FUEL QUANTITY OF THE AIRPLANE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INACCURATE. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT FUEL WAS OBSERVED UP TO THE FILLER NECK OF THE TANK; THEREFORE, HE DID NOT REFUEL THE AIRPLANE. ON FINAL TO THE AIRPORT, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A TOTAL OF 1.25 GALLONS WAS RECOVERED FROM THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5399B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5399B), registered now, S/N 15283861, built 1979 (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: 15283861
- Airframe hours: 7255
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Abilene Aero, Inc., doing business as Lubbock Aero
- Registered owner: Abilene Aero, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 14, 1991, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 40 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °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 19911009045559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911009045559A), Oct 9, 1991: Cessna 152, Lubbock, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit during approach to airport from local flight. Nosed over landing. Fuel tanks down to unusable fuel.

## Other investigations on N5399B (2)

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 FTW99LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA273), Sep 30, 1999: Cessna 152 (N5399B), Slaton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane resulting in fuel exhaustion. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB MKC82DA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA084), May 19, 1982: Cessna 152 (N5399B), Ainsworth, NE, 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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