# NTSB NYC88LA222: Cessna 152 II, N49142, Coatesville, PA, August 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Coatesville, PA
- Coordinates: 39.980472, -75.809936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9805&lon=-75.8099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA222

## 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)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
- Nose down, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FOLLOWING A 1 HR LOCAL FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE PLT SELECTED A FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING AND APPROACHED IT FROM WEST TO EAST. THE PLANE STRUCK A ROAD SHORT OF THE FIELD AND THE NOSE GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED INTO A CORN FIELD AND CAME TO REST, NOSE DOWN, FACING WEST. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY, AND THE RIGHT TANK HAD 3/4 OF A GALLON IN IT. A FUEL SAMPLE SHOWED NO CONTAMINATION. THE PILOT SAID HE ESTIMATED THAT BOTH TANKS WERE HALF FULL WHEN HE TOOK OFF. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT REPORTED 3 GALLONS ON BOARD AT TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49142](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49142), registered now, S/N 15281161, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 II
- 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: 15281161
- Airframe hours: 3687
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Chester Co.  Aviation
- Registered owner: Chester County Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1988, 76 hours before
- Departed: 40N, CHESTER, PA
- Destination: 40N

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880819034329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880819034329A), Aug 19, 1988: Cessna 152, Coatesville, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power local flight. Undershot field on forced landing. Tore off gear on road ditch. Fuel was exhausted.

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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