# NTSB NYC92LA038: Cessna 152, N25262, Danbury, CT, November 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1991, 17:48 local (22:48 UTC)
- Place: Danbury, CT
- Location: 41.3948° N, 73.4540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Danbury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3948&lon=-73.4540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA038

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL SYSTEM EXHAUSTION AND A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - refueling - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE RETURN FLIGHT.  BECAUSE OF A HOLIDAY, THERE WAS NO REFUELING SERVICE AVAILABLE.  THE STUDENT DECIDED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT AND HE DEPARTED.  THE ENGINE QUITE APPROXIMATELY 1.75 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE.  THE FAA FOUND NO FUEL IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25262](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25262-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 15280560, built 1977 (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: 15280560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Action Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Eric Myers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 5B6, FALMOUTH, MA
- Destination: POU, DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 49 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19911128053679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911128053679A), Nov 28, 1991: Cessna 152, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on solo crosscountry. No fuel at designated fuel stop. Misjudged fuel range. Hit trees on landing.

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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