# NTSB MIA91LA090: Cessna 152, N5282H, Jensen Beach, FL, March 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1991, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Jensen Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.229536, -80.230995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2295&lon=-80.2310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA090

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING DECISION BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNRELIABLE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS.

## 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)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - unreliable (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF & THE ACFT WAS FLOWN FOR .5 HOUR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT PLT RENTED THE ACFT. NO FURTHER SERVICING WAS PERFORMED.  THE ACCIDENT FLT DEPARTED WITH LESS-THAN-FULL TANKS & WHILE RETURNING TO LAND FOLLOWING AN APRX 3-HR FLT, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE PLT STARTED IT MOMENTARILY BUT IT QUIT AGAIN.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL FOLLOWING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PALM TREE.  THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED WHICH REVEALED THAT THEY CONTAINED 1.5 GALS.  THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE UNUSABLE FUEL QUANTITY FOR BOTH FUEL TANKS IS 1.5 GALS.  REVIEW OF ACFT RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS OPERATED FOR 3.8 HRS SINCE LAST REFUELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5282H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5282H-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 15284080, built 1979 (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: 15284080
- Airframe hours: 6750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Treasure Coast Flight Academy
- Registered owner: J.R. Leasing, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 25, 1991, 8 hours before
- Departed: FPR, FORT PIERCE, FL
- Destination: SUA, STUART, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 131 total, 105 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 50 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 19910301003749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910301003749A), Mar 1, 1991: Cessna 152, Jensen Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Landing in residential area hit palm tree. Had flown 3 plus hours full fuel range.

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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