# NTSB MIA89LA189: Cessna 152, N4680P, Vero Beach, FL, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 17:44 local (21:44 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.640165, -80.38906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6402&lon=-80.3891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA189

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  THE SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY TRAINING FLT AFTER BEING ADVISED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN APRX 1.2 HRS SINCE IT WAS REFUELLED. AS HE WAS APCHG HIS 2ND TO LAST LNDG STOP AT VERO BEACH, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE PLT LANDED IN A SOFT FIELD. NO USABLE FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4680P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4680P-1993-01-22), registration cancelled 1993-01-22, S/N 15284799 (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: 15284799
- Airframe hours: 3588
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Atp
- Registered owner: Rocio Meneces
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 1989, 53 hours before
- Departed: VNC, VENICE, FL
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 55 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 11 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 19890709025279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709025279A), Jul 9, 1989: Cessna 152, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a solo crosscountry. Crash landed in a soft field. Was told to refuel prior flight,but did not.

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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