# NTSB LAX90LA322: Cessna 152, N714XD, San Fernando, CA, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1990, 23:08 local (Sep 13, 1990, 06:08 UTC)
- Place: San Fernando, CA
- Coordinates: 34.250278, -118.410446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2503&lon=-118.4104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA322

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PAX DEPARTED LAS FOR A PERSONAL FLIGHT TO WHP. AFTER FLYING FOR ABOUT 2.8 HRS THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A CITY STREET NEAR THE DESTINATION ARPT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING FROM LAS THE PILOT HAD DIRECTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANKS BE ONLY PARTIALLY FILLED. A LINE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THE TANKS WERE FILLED TO ABOUT 3/4 CAPACITY. THE NTSB ESTIMATED THAT AFTER ALLOWANCE FOR GROUND OPERATION AT LAS, UPON TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE PROBABLY CONTAINED 17 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL. PERFORMANCE DATA FROM CESSNA INDICATED THAT AT 75 PERCENT ENGINE POWER, THE FUEL BURN OFF RATE WAS ABOUT 6.1 GAL/HR. THE AIRPLANE'S PROJECTED ENDURANCE WAS 2.8 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714XD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714XD-1998-10-31), registration cancelled 1998-10-31, S/N 15279506 (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: 15279506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sun Quest Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 910 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 6 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 19900912039099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900912039099A), Sep 12, 1990: Cessna 152, Los Angeles, CA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on approach to airport. Struck powerlinea and crashed on city street.

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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