# NTSB NYC92LA045: Cessna 152, N48156, Orford, NH, December 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1991, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Orford, NH
- Location: 43.9053° N, 72.1401° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Orford, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9053&lon=-72.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA045

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED.

## 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, pilot in command (cause)
  - air/ground communications - not obtained, pilot in command
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT INTENDED TO FLY FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. AFTER PRACTICING STALLS AND TURNS HE DECIDED TO DO VOR TRACKING, WHEN HE GOT LOST AND DISORIENTED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE HIS POSITION BY GROUND REFERENCE AND THE USE OF SECTIONAL CHARTS. HE ALSO ATTEMPTED RADIO CONTACT WITH FSS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE CONTACT. AFTER CLIMBING TO 6000 FEET AND FLYING ABOUT 80 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE CONTACT. AFTER CLIMBING TO 6000 FEET AND FLYING ABOUT 80 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT HE IDENTIFIED HIS LOCATION. AT THAT POINT, HE ESTIMATED HE WAS 1 HOUR FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT AND HAD ABOUT ONE AND HALF HOURS OF FUEL REMAINING. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO THE HOME AIRPORT AND ABOUT 3 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES AFTER THE FLIGHT BEGAN THE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND HIT TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48156](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48156), registered now, S/N 15283291, built 1979 (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: 15283291
- Airframe hours: 3704
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: David Santamore
- Registered owner: Aviation Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1991, 103 hours before
- Departed: MPU, MONTPELIER, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 37 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- 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 19911211059189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911211059189A), Dec 11, 1991: Cessna 152, Orford, NH, Substantial damage. Became disoriented on practice flight. Ran out of fuel and landed in trees.

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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