# NTSB MIA96LA006: Cessna 152, N33LU, Eastman, GA, October 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1995, 01:50 local (05:50 UTC)
- Place: Eastman, GA
- Coordinates: 32.190208, -83.169136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1902&lon=-83.1691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA006

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND THE DECISION  NOT TO REFUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND THE PILOT- IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH THE FUEL GAUGES INOPERATIVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (CFI) DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITHOUT MAKING A PLANNED REFUELING STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND A SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY DESCENT.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES, PITCHED NOSE DOWN,  AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On October 14, 1995, about 0150 eastern daylight time, N33LU, a Cessna 152 operated by Phoenix East Aviation, crashed near Eastman, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots reported minor injuries. The flight departed Macon, Georgia, about 30 minutes before  the accident.

The pilots stated they flew from Daytona Beach, Florida, to Macon, and had intended to refuel, but the operator was closed for the night. They then departed intending to get fuel in Alma, Georgia. The engine lost power, and during the forced landing the airplane struck wires and the ground. No fuel was found in the fuel tanks after the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33LU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33LU-1996-03-29), registration cancelled 1996-03-29, S/N 15279585 (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: 15279585
- Airframe hours: 5301
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix East Aviation
- Registered owner: Twin Engine Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 16, 1995, 83 hours before
- Departed: MCN, MACON, GA
- Destination: ALM, ALMA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,110 total, 250 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN

## 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 19951014036089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951014036089A), Oct 14, 1995: Cessna 152, Eastman, GA, Destroyed. Unable fuel on night cross country departed for another airport. Lost power en route. Hit wires landing fuel empty.

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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