# NTSB MKC89LA154: Cessna 152, N757EJ, Tunas, MO, July 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1989, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Tunas, MO
- Coordinates: 37.839824, -93.020278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8398&lon=-93.0203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA154

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BECAUSE OF IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT.

## 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 (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SAID THAT ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE FAILED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT AND MINOR INJURIES TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT ESTIMATED SHE HAD ABOUT 5.5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. SHE SAID SHE WAS FLYING TO AN AIRPORT, THAT HAD FUEL FACILITIES, THAT WAS LOCATED ABOUT 25 MILES AWAY, TO REFUEL. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS TO BE EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757EJ-1991-11-19), registration cancelled 1991-11-19, S/N 15279678 (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: 15279678
- Airframe hours: 5955
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: North Point Aviation Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 1989, 21 hours before
- Departed: 97MO, BUFFALO, MO
- Destination: H21, CAMDENTON, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 221 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 40 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 19890704019599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890704019599A), Jul 4, 1989: Cessna 152, Tunas, MO, Substantial damage. Took off to obtain fuel at another airport but ran out of fuel shortly after departure. Crash landed rough terrain.

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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