FTW97LA268

While on a solo cross country flight from Waco, Texas, to the Angelina Airport near Lufkin, Texas, the student pilot became disoriented. She located and identified the town of Buffalo, confirmed fuel on board, and continued east towards Lufkin. As she neared Lufkin, she once again became disoriented. She flew past the Angelina Airport; however, she did not see it. She also did not use the Lufkin VORTAC to help locate the airport. The engine lost power approximately 16 nautical miles northeast of the Angelina Airport, about 3 hours and 26 minutes after takeoff. During a forced landing to a small field, the aircraft struck some trees, and came to a stop on its nose. Examination of the aircraft's fuel system revealed no evidence of fuel. The pilot reported that she 'ran out of fuel.' A test run of the engine was accomplished on July 17, 1997. With the throttle full open, the indicated rpm was 2,350. A magneto check was performed, and the rpm drop on both the left and right magnetos was 75 rpm.

On July 14, 1997, at 1506 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5238H, registered to November 363 Charlie Bravo, Inc., and operated by National Aviation Services, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise near Lufkin, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. A flight plan was filed for the solo cross country flight that originated from Waco, Texas, but it was never activated.

During a telephone interview conducted by the investigator-in-charge (IIC) and on the enclosed Pilot/Operator Accident Report, the student pilot reported that the first leg of her solo cross country flight originated from David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, Houston, Texas, with a destination of Waco, Texas. The flight to Waco was "uneventful, timing and fuel burn [were] all according to schedule." After arriving at Waco, the aircraft was fueled with 10.6 gallons of 100 octane low lead avgas.

The student pilot further reported that she departed Waco at 1140, en route to the Angelina Airport near Lufkin, Texas, on the second leg of her solo cross country flight. Her en route altitude was 5,500 feet MSL. At 1225, she identified Interstate 45; however, ground references did not match references on her sectional (map). At 1400, she located and identified the town of Buffalo. After confirming the aircraft had enough fuel to reach the Angelina Airport, she continued on course. At 1420, she identified a road "T" intersection by the 190 degree radial off of the Frankston VOR. As she continued toward her destination, she flew by an airstrip that she identified as Coons, a private airstrip. The Coons airstrip is located 12 nautical miles west of the Angelina Airport. She once again confirmed the aircraft had enough fuel to reach the Angelina Airport. Next she flew between two lakes which she identified as the two lakes located 2 nautical miles west of the town of Diboll. After passing the town she had identified as Diboll, she turned towards the north. She never saw the Angelina Airport, nor did she use the Lufkin VORTAC to help locate the airport.

The airplane's engine lost power about 16 nautical miles northeast of the Angelina Airport. The student pilot initiated a forced landing to a large field. As the aircraft neared the field, the pilot saw numerous haystacks in the field. She did not think she could "safely land between the haystacks;" therefore, she turned towards a small open field. During the approach to the small field, the aircraft struck some trees and came to a stop on its nose. After the pilot disembarked the airplane, it fell over onto its back.

Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, empennage, and both wings were damaged. Examination of the aircraft's fuel system revealed no evidence of fuel. The pilot reported to the NTSB IIC and FAA inspector that she "ran out of fuel."

A test run of the engine was accomplished on July 17, 1997. After charging the airplane's battery, the airplane's engine was started. With the throttle full open, the indicated rpm was 2,350. A magneto check was performed, and the rpm drop on both the left and right magnetos was 75 rpm.