# NTSB MIA96LA040: Cessna 152, N48959, Macon, GA, December 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1995, 02:55 local (07:55 UTC)
- Place: Macon, GA
- Coordinates: 32.799564, -83.620964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7996&lon=-83.6210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS AVAILABLE FOR 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND SAFETY PILOT WERE ON THE RETURN LEG OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT; NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. DURING APPROACH TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN A CLAY PIT 1/4 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. A POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS LESS THAN 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL LEFT IN THE TANKS, AND THERE WAS NO FUEL FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR.

## Factual narrative

On December 13, 1995, about 0255 eastern standard time, N48959, a Cessna 152 operated by Southeast School of Aeronautics as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed in Macon, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The safety pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from Augusta, Georgia, around 2300 the previous night.

The airplane ELT was first heard about 0255 and search crews found the wreckage about 0700. The airplane was located about 1/4 mile from the Herbert Smart Downtown Airport.

A postaccident investigation by FAA inspectors revealed that there was less than 1/2 gallon of fuel in the fuel tanks. There was no evidence of fuel spillage and there was no fuel found in the carburetor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48959](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48959-2013-08-12), registration cancelled 2013-08-12, S/N 15283394, 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: 15283394
- Airframe hours: 10975
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Se School Of Aeronautics
- Registered owner: Gulf Coast Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AGS, AUGUSTA, GA
- Destination: MAC
- Airport: MAC, Herbert Smart Downtown, runway 10, 4,695 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 212 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19951214040509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951214040509A), Dec 14, 1995: Cessna 152, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot and safety pilot. Engine quit on approach airport. Landed clay pit. Less than 1/2 gallon fuel each tank.

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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