# NTSB LAX85LA244: Cessna 152, N24970, Wickenburg, AZ, May 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 18:15 local (May 6, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Wickenburg, AZ
- Location: 33.9845° N, 112.8002° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WICKENBURG MUNI (E25), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9845&lon=-112.8002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA244

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED BULLHEAD CITY WITH AN ESTIMATED 12 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE REALIZED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND AT WICKENBURG. BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A DRY WASH APRX 1 MI NW OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24970](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24970-1988-05-02), registration cancelled 1988-05-02, S/N 15280480 (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: 15280480
- Airframe hours: 2148
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: G. Michael Lewin Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1985, 36 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Airport: E25, Wickenburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,200 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 245 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 35 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 19850505019099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505019099A), May 5, 1985: Cessna 152, Wickenburg, AZ, Destroyed. Loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. Pilot did not top tanks at previous stop.

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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