# NTSB LAX91LA262: Cessna 152, N747CM, Oceanside, CA, June 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1991, 17:13 local (Jun 17, 1991, 00:13 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.200496, -117.349517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2005&lon=-117.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA262

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE FROM SAN CARLOS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, THE PILOT FLEW NON-STOP TO THE AIRPORT ON SANTA CATALINA ISLAND, WHICH IS 22 MILES OFF SHORE TO THE SOUTH OF THE LOS ANGELES BASIN. THE AIR MILE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAN CARLOS AND SANTA CATALINA WAS MEASURED AT ABOUT 340 NAUTICAL MILES. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD OBTAIN FUEL AT SANTA CATALINA, HOWEVER, THE AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY NOTES THAT FUEL IS UNAVAILABLE AT THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT DEPARTED SANTA CATALINA AND ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT TO OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, THE FLIGHT'S ULTIMATE DESTINATION. THE STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE FROM SANTA CATALINA ISLAND TO OCEANSIDE WAS MEASURED AT 58 NAUTICAL MILES, ENTIRELY OVER WATER. THE DISTANCE FROM THE ISLAND TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT IN THE LOS ANGELES BASIN WAS MEASURED AT 26 NAUTICAL MILES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N747CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N747CM-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 15281239, 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: 15281239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Simulation
- Registered owner: Flight Simulation
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SXC, CATALINA ISLAND, CA
- Destination: CRQ, PALOMAR, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 68 total, 61 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: CRQ, 9 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 19910616022089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910616022089A), Jun 16, 1991: Cessna 152, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed. Unable to obtain fuel on catalina island elected to fly to oceannside 58 miles instead direct to shore. Ran fuel dry

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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