# NTSB MKC90LA119: Cessna 152, N94615, Milford, IA, June 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1990, 23:15 local (Jun 5, 1990, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Milford, IA
- Coordinates: 43.319625, -95.149856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3196&lon=-95.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA119

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO MISJUDGED FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PVT PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD REACHED CRUISING ALTITUDE, LEVELED OFF, AND HAD LEANED THE FUEL MIXTURE, WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. AN EMERGENCY NIGHT LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED, WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94615](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94615-1995-03-29), registration cancelled 1995-03-29, S/N 15285744 (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: 15285744
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Iowa Lakes Community College
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: 0Y4, HARTLEY, IA
- Destination: EST, ESTHERVILLE, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 193 total, 116 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: 3SE, 10 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 19900605018469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900605018469A), Jun 5, 1990: Cessna 152, Milford, IA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route at night. Struck irrigation ditch on forced landing. Impact severed nose gear. Nosed over.

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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