# NTSB NYC91LA135: Cessna 152 II, N94512, Newtonville, NJ, May 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1991, 19:39 local (23:39 UTC)
- Place: Newtonville, NJ
- Location: 39.5633° N, 74.8559° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newtonville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5633&lon=-74.8559&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA135

## Probable cause

PILOT FACTOR IN THAT THE STUDENT PILOT DELAYED ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE, AFTER BECOMING LOST UNTIL INSUFFICIENT FUEL WAS AVAILABLE TO MAKE AN AIRPORT. THIS RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND A SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS COMPLETING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY, WHEN SHE BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED.  SHE ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE HER LOCATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WITHOUT SUCCESS.  SHE CONTACTED A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION BY RADIO WITH ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF FUEL REMAINING. THIS WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94512](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94512-2012-06-29), registration cancelled 2012-06-29, S/N 15285701, built 1983 (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: 15285701
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Albert C. Lewis, doing business as Lewis Flying Service
- Registered owner: Albert C. Lewis
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ESN, EASTON, MD
- Destination: 17N, CROSS KEYS, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 70 total, 70 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °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 19910515016199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910515016199A), May 15, 1991: Cessna 152, Newtonville, NJ, Substantial damage. Became lost on solo crosscountry. Called fss to report prop had stopped. Landed in field. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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