# NTSB NYC88LA200: Cessna 152, N4609L, Hillsville, PA, August 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1988, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Hillsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.999954, -80.500602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0000&lon=-80.5006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA200

## Probable cause

ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF AND AT ABOUT 2,000 FEET A.G.L., THE RENTED AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD IN WHICH TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED 7 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR; HOWEVER, THE CARB WAS EMPTY. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4609L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4609L), registered now, S/N 15284197, built 1980 (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: 15284197
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Midtown Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: YOUNGSTOWN, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,100 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880801029209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880801029209A), Aug 1, 1988: Cessna 152, Hillsville, PA, Destroyed. Engine stopped on local flight. Crash landed in open field. One fuel tank was empty. No fuel in carburetor.

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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