# NTSB MIA87LA139: Cessna 152, N24511, Melbourne, FL, April 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1987, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Location: 28.0836° N, 80.6081° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melbourne, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0836&lon=-80.6081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA139

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE IN FLIGHT AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A PASTURE. HE THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND TOOK OFF, AFTER TAKE OFF THE ENGINE FAILED TWO TIMES AND HE RESTARTED IT. THE ENGINE FAILED THE THIRD TIME AND HE COULD NOT START IT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE NOSE WHEEL HIT A DITCH AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT FUEL TANK REVEALED IT WAS EMPTY AND THE LT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 2 QUARTS OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24511](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24511-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 15280299, 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: 152-80299
- Airframe hours: 1843
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard I Kahla
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1987, 32 hours before
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL
- Destination: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 16 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 19870419010179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870419010179A), Apr 19, 1987: Cessna 152, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft struck a ditch and nosed over while trying to lande near 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.

---
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.