# NTSB LAX97LA305: Cessna 152, N152RJ, Mecca, CA, August 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1997, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Mecca, CA - Coordinates: 33.549365, -115.969268 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5494&lon=-115.9693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA305 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion as a result of the student pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to refuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The student pilot was on a solo cross-country flight from Long Beach to Blythe, California. He was to have performed a touch-and-go landing at Bermuda Dunes and then proceed to Blythe, where he was to refuel and return to Long Beach. He decided to stop at Bermuda Dunes for an estimated 30-minute rest stop. He reported that about 10 to 20 minutes into the flight to Blythe, the engine quit. He said he was able to get a restart for about 5 minutes before it quit again. The student stated he visually checked the fuel prior to departure from Long Beach and it was down an inch in each tank. The student's flight instructor stated he did not visually check or see the aircraft being refueled. The aircraft was recovered, examined, and the engine successfully test run. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1997, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N152RJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Mecca, California. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the student solo cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated in Long Beach, California. The student pilot was to perform a touch-and-go landing at Bermuda Dunes, California, then proceed to his destination at Blythe, California, refuel, and then return to Long Beach. The student pilot decided to stop at Bermuda Dunes around 1520 for a rest stop. He did not recall when he departed for Blythe, but estimated he was on the ground about 30 minutes. About 10 to 20 minutes into the flight to Blythe at 5,500 feet msl, the engine quit. He stated that he was able to get a restart for about 5 minutes then it quit again. The pilot was to have refueled at Blythe for the return flight. According to the aircraft checkout sheet, the pilot's rental time started at a Hobbs meter time of 5,276.3. The Hobbs meter at the time of the accident was 5,279.5 indicating 3.2 hours of operation. The pilot reported that he departed Long Beach at approximately 1330. He cruised at 5,500 feet and 2,100 rpm. He leaned the fuel mixture for best economy. According to the Cessna cruise performance specifications using 75 percent engine power at 8,000 feet would provide a range of 350 nautical miles in 3.4 hours with the 24.5 gallon usable fuel system. Prior to the students departure from Long Beach, the airplane had flown 1.5 hours ending at a Hobbs meter reading of 276.3. The airplane was supposedly refueled prior to the student's departure. The student stated that he visually checked the fuel and it was down about an inch in each tank. The operator did not provide refueling records. The student's flight instructor reported that he checked that the student had obtained a preflight weather briefing and the aircraft had been refueled. However, he stated that he did not visually check or see the aircraft being refueled. He did recall seeing the fuel truck near the aircraft. After the accident the airplane was transported to a storage facility. The airplane and engine were examined. The ignition switch was removed, functional tested, opened, and examined. The engine was prepared and successfully run with a temporary fuel system. Nothing was found in the airframe or engine that would have precluded it from functioning normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N152RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N152RJ-1997-12-13), registration cancelled 1997-12-13, S/N 15281572 (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: 15281572 - Airframe hours: 5279 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: M. R. Grimmett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1997 - Departed: UDD, BERMUDA DUNES, CA - Destination: BLH, BLYTHE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 28 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 18 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 19970825023709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970825023709A), Aug 25, 1997: Cessna 152, Mecca, CA, Substantial damage. Student departed solo cross country without topping tanks. Engine quit near max fuel range. Short of fuel stop. (.4) the student pilot was on a solo… 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.