# NTSB MIA91LA045: Cessna 152, N67334, Palmetto, FL, December 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1990, 14:24 local (19:24 UTC)
- Place: Palmetto, FL
- Location: 27.5251° N, 82.5750° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palmetto, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5251&lon=-82.5750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA045

## Probable cause

POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT DUE TO HIS FAILURE TO PURCHASE FUEL BEFORE DEPARTURE RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INACCURATE FUEL GAUGES.

## 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)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - false indication (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT TOLD TO PURCHASE FUEL. THE MANAGER OF THE FLIGHT SCHOOL DENIED THIS. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS WERE NOT INDICATING EMPTY WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67334](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67334-2011-05-27), registration cancelled 2011-05-27, S/N 15281762, built 1978 (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: 152-81762
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Suncoast Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: OBE, OKEECHOBEE, FL
- Destination: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 48X, Manatee County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 69 total, 40 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SRQ, 14 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 19901216054309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901216054309A), Dec 16, 1990: Cessna 152, Palmetto, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Nosed over landing. Student failed to obtain fuel en route per CFI instructions.

## Other investigations on N67334 (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC08CA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA161), Apr 14, 2008: Cessna 152K (N67334), Okeechobee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB MIA94LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA190), Aug 7, 1994: Cessna 152 (N67334), Clearwater, FL, minor damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO INTENTIONALLY EXIT THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER. THE IMPROPER AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT WAS A FACTOR.

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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