# NTSB FTW97LA010: Cessna 152, N5525L, Gulf Of Mexico, October 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1996, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Gulf Of Mexico - Coordinates: 29.300613, -94.790283 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3006&lon=-94.7903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 2, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20086 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20086/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA010 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel consumption calculations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane ran out of fuel approximately 11 miles SSE of Galveston, Texas. The pilot transmitted a 'MAYDAY' radio call to Galveston Airport tower, informing them that he ran out of fuel and was going to ditch near an oil rig. After ditching, both occupants swam to the rig safely. The aircraft sank and has not been recovered. The pilot stated that he departed the airport with full fuel tanks (24.5 gallons usable) at 1200, and flew approximately 100 miles outbound into the Gulf of Mexico on a magnetic course of 147 degrees. At about 1335, after completion of the aerial survey, he proceeded inbound on a 355 degree course for the return to Galveston. In a weather brief prior to his initial departure, the forecast winds were 030 degrees at 25 knots. According to the pilot, the actual winds 'turned out to be a great deal stronger and from a more northerly heading.' Usable fuel was exhausted at approximately 1505, about 10 miles from the shore line. The airplane was airborne for about 3 hours 5 minutes. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1996, at 1515 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N5525L, privately owned, and operated by a flight academy, sustained substantial damage after ditching in the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 aerial observation flight that originated at 1156 from Galveston Municipal Airport (Scholes Field), Galveston, Texas. A VFR flight plan was filed. According to a report from the FAA and the United States Coast Guard Operations Center, Galveston, Texas, the airplane ran out of fuel approximately 11 miles south/southeast of Galveston, Texas. The pilot transmitted a "MAYDAY" radio call to Galveston Airport tower, informing them that he ran out of fuel and was going to ditch near an oil rig. After ditching, both occupants swam to the rig safely. The aircraft sank in the Gulf of Mexico, and has not been recovered. In an interview with the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he departed the airport with full fuel tanks (24.5 gallons usable) at 1200, and flew approximately 100 miles outbound into the Gulf on a magnetic course of 147 degrees. At about 1335, after completion of the aerial survey, he proceeded inbound on a 355 degree course for the return to Galveston. In a weather brief prior to his initial departure, the forecast winds were 030 degrees at 25 knots. According to the pilot, the actual winds "turned out to be a great deal stronger and from a more northerly heading." Usable fuel was exhausted approximately 1505, about 10 miles from the shore line. The airplane was airborne for about 3 hours, 5 minutes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5525L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5525L-1997-03-25), registration cancelled 1997-03-25, S/N 15284336 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15284336 - Airframe hours: 2888 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aero Academy - Registered owner: Warren C. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 5, 1996, 3 hours before - Departed: GLS, GALVESTON, TX - Destination: GLS, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,900 total, 100 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 25 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19961007035699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961007035699A), Oct 7, 1996: Cessna 152, Galveston, TX, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel 11MI sw of Galveston. Ditched in gulf. Swam to oil rig. Ran out of fuel due unexpected headwind. (-23) departed Galveston airport 1700Z.… 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.