# NTSB MKC90LA120: Cessna 152, N48642, Mcpherson, KS, June 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1990, 10:34 local (15:34 UTC)
- Place: Mcpherson, KS
- Coordinates: 38.359066, -97.659027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3591&lon=-97.6590&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 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA120

## Probable cause

POOR PRE-FLIGHT AND IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND REFUELING NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

EN ROUTE TO HER FINAL DESTINATION, DURING A STUDENT, SOLO, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SAID THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY HER POSITION. SHE FLEW BY A WATER TOWER, IDENTIFIED HER LOCATION, AND CORRECTED HER COURSE. SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A WHEAT FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. PRIOR TO THE EMERGENCY SHE CONTACTED THE SALINA CONTROL TOWER AND REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST LANDING SITE. SHE SAID THAT THE DIRECTION GYRO HAD PRECESSED SUBSTANTIALLY CONTRIBUTING TO HER BEING OFF COURSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48642](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48642-1995-07-07), registration cancelled 1995-07-07, S/N 15283355 (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: 15283355
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gietzen, Mark S
- Departed: PTT, PRATT, KS
- Destination: ICT, WICHITA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 49 total, 38 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900604021599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900604021599A), Jun 4, 1990: Cessna 152, Mcpherson, KS, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route on solo crosscountry after getting lost. Landed in an open field and 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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