# NTSB LAX97LA321: Cessna 152, N65406, Murrieta, CA, September 10, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1997, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Murrieta, CA
- Location: 33.5539° N, 117.2139° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Murrieta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5539&lon=-117.2139&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 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA321

## Probable cause

failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure an adequate preflight of the airplane, and his failure to properly quantify or verify the fuel onboard before departing on a dual instruction flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.

## 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(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing

## Analysis

While on a dual instruction flight, the aircraft ran out of fuel prior to arriving at the destination airport. The flight instructor reported that the fuel tanks were low; however, both indicator gauges read ample fuel quantity for a 1-1/2 hour flight with 1/2 hour reserve. The aircraft had been airborne for about 1 hour 20 minutes when the engine lost power. Subsequently, the airplane was damaged during a forced landing on a road.

## Factual narrative

On September 10, 1997, about 0820 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N65406, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Murrieta, California.  Neither the instructor pilot nor the student pilot were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at 0700 on the morning of the accident.  According to local authorities the aircraft ran out of fuel and force landed on a dirt road.

The instructor reported that the fuel tanks were low, however, both indicator gauges read ample fuel quantity for a 1 1/2 hour flight with 1/2 hour reserve.  The airplane had been airborne about 1 hour 20 minutes when the engine quit.

The instructor pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65406](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65406-1998-10-22), registration cancelled 1998-10-22, S/N 15281532 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Carlsbad Air Service
- Registered owner: David/Lisa Eddo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: F70, TEMECULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 354 total, 94 in this make and model, 298 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KRI

## 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 19970910028969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970910028969A), Sep 10, 1997: Cessna 152, Murrieta, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local instructional flight. Force landed on a road

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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