# NTSB MIA94LA071: Cessna 152, N89254, Port St. Lucie, FL, February 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1994, 19:20 local (Feb 12, 1994, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Port St. Lucie, FL
- Coordinates: 26.650835, -80.249122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6508&lon=-80.2491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA071

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE AIRPLANE AND ENSURE THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL ON BOARD, AND HIS IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOCALLY ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND RAN OUT OF GAS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING TO A PARKING LOT AND CONTACTED WIRES WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO FLIP OVER.

## Factual narrative

On February 11, 1994, about 1920 eastern standard time, N89254, a Cessna 152 registered to Gamco, and operated by Flight Training International, crashed in Port St. Lucie, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received serious injuries. The local flight originated from Stuart, Florida about 3 hours 40 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated to law enforcement personnel after the accident that he was low on fuel and the engine failed. He attempted a forced landing to highway US-1 and struck wires on final approach. The airplane flipped and fell into a restaurant parking lot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89254](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89254-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 15282690, 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: 15282690
- Airframe hours: 4985
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Training Intl.
- Registered owner: Gamco Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1993, 79 hours before
- Departed: SUA, STUART, FL
- Airport: SUA, Stuart

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 270 total, 140 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR

## 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 19940211002099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940211002099A), Feb 11, 1994: Cessna 152, Stuart, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Struck wires on landing. Pilot reported low on fuel.

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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