# NTSB LAX02LA012: Cessna 152, N67729, Henderson, NV, October 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 22, 2001, 19:35 local (Oct 23, 2001, 02:35 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV - Coordinates: 36.083332, -114.933334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0833&lon=-114.9333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53677/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA012 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion during cruise flight due to the pilot's improper in-flight decision. A contributing factor was his improper preflight planning. ## 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 - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - pole ## Analysis The pilot reported that he believed the airplane's fuel tanks were full of fuel, and he departed for a planned 3-hour-long flight. The flight took longer than expected. After flying for about 3:50 hours, the engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing and during flare collided with a light pole. No mechanical malfunctions were reported with the engine. During the subsequent investigation, approximately 1.3 gallons of fuel were found in the right fuel tank, and the left fuel tank was found dry. The pilot acknowledged that he "simply ran out of gas." ## Factual narrative On October 22, 2001, about 1935 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N67729, operated by West Wind Aviation, Inc., North Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. During the pilot's forced landing flare, about 2 miles northeast of Henderson, Nevada, the airplane collided with a light pole about 10 feet above the ground. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91 and originated from North Las Vegas about 1545. The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the airplane's engine during the flight. The pilot reported that he originated the flight with the wing tanks full of fuel, and no en route stops were made. When the engine "sputtered" and lost power, the left fuel tank gauge registered "almost empty" and the right gauge registered about "one-quarter" full. The airplane was subsequently examined. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator reported that the left fuel tank was found dry, and approximately 1.3 gallons of fuel were found in the right fuel tank. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report" he indicated, in pertinent part, that he believed the fuel tanks were full when he initiated the flight. The pilot reported that he had planned to fly for about 3 hours, but that the flight took longer than expected, and he "simply ran out of gas." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67729](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67729-2002-02-26), registration cancelled 2002-02-26, S/N 15281984, built 1978 (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: 15281984 - Airframe hours: 8818 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: West Wind Aviation, Inc., doing business as West Air Aviation - Registered owner: Giles Holding Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 2001, 94 hours before - Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Destination: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 206 total, 134 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 17 nm away ## 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 20011022027599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011022027599A), Oct 22, 2001: Cessna 152, Henderson, NV, No damage. (-23) Prior to departing the north las vegas airport, PIC topped off the fuel tanks with 16 gallons of fuel. This allowed for a total of 26 gallons on his… 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.