# NTSB LAX90LA240: Cessna 152, N25899, Hickman, CA, July 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1990, 17:40 local (Jul 3, 1990, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Hickman, CA
- Coordinates: 37.600856, -120.679504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6009&lon=-120.6795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA240

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING & DECISION, AN INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY, AND FUEL EXHAUSTION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS RELATED TO THE FALSE INDICATION OF THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGES.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT, WHO HAD LOGGED ABOUT 153-HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, AND A PASSENGER PLANNED A CROSSCOUNTRY FLIGHT. AFTER FLYING FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A GRASS FIELD. DURING ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE MISHAP BOTH WING TANKS' FUEL GAGES REGISTERED 1/4 FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25899](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25899), registered now, S/N 15280842, built 1977 (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: 15280842
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Midfiled Aviation
- Departed: APV, APPLE VLLEY, CA
- Destination: 027, OAKDALE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 153 total, 10 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900702023419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900702023419A), Jul 2, 1990: Cessna 152, Hickman, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Overshot an open field into a fence on forced landing. Blamed inaccurate fuel gauges.

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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