NYC99LA207

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Rockville, VA · August 19, 1999

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 19, 1999, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
Place
Rockville, VA
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N49014Cessna 152
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 30, 2000
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19990819012939A
Case key
47150

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerCruise
Fluid,fuel - exhaustionCause
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
On ground/water collision with objectEmergency landing
Object - pole
Object - fence

Analysis

The pilot departed for an estimated 2.5 hour cross-country flight. During the flight, the pilot calculated the airplane would have over an extra hour of fuel onboard after the total trip, and he flew an additional .75 hours. While returning to the departure airport, the airplane experienced a partial power loss, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane's left wing struck a telephone pole, and the empennage contacted a fence. Examination of the wreckage revealed no fuel in the airplane's left fuel tank, and about 1/2 gallon remained in the right fuel tank. After fuel was supplied to the engine fuel lines, the engine started and performed satisfactorily. Review of the airplane's rental log, and Hobbs meter revealed the airplane had been operated for 3.4 hours. According to the Airplane Operating Manual, the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 1 1/2 gallons were unusable. Additionally, the airplane's endurance chart indicated about 3.4 hours of endurance at 75 percent power.

Factual narrative

On August 19, 1999, about 1720 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 152, N49014, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Rockville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at the Hanover County Municipal Airport (OFP), Ashland, Virginia, about 1355. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he departed OFP with full fuel for a flight to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), Weyers Cave, Virginia. The pilot calculated that approximately 15 gallons of fuel would be consumed for the estimated 2.5 hour flight. After he reached the Shenandoah Valley, the pilot calculated the airplane would have over an extra hour of fuel onboard after the total trip, and he flew an additional .75 hours. The pilot performed a touch and go at SHD and then departed the area for OFP.

While en route to OFP, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power, which was followed by a total loss of engine power.

During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane's left wing struck a telephone pole, and the empennage contacted a fence.

Examination of the wreckage was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. During disassembly of the airplane, no fuel was found in the airplane's left fuel tank, and about 1/2 gallon remained in the right fuel tank. Neither fuel tank had been compromised during the accident. After fuel was supplied to the engine fuel lines, the engine started and performed satisfactorily.

Review of the airplane's rental log and Hobbs meter, revealed the airplane had been operated for 3.4 hours.

According to the Airplane Operating Manual, the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 1 1/2 gallons were unusable. Additionally, the airplane's endurance chart indicated about 3.4 hours of endurance at 75 percent power.

Aircraft

Registration
N49014
Reported as
Cessna 152
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15283402
Airframe hours
5,679
Engine
Lycoming O-235, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Erik Michalski
Registered owner
Sundance Aviation
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · August 12, 1999 · 6 hours before
Departed
SHD · Weyers Cave, VA
Destination
OFP · Ashland, VA

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
26
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
92 total · 88 in this make and model · 51 as pilot in command · 16 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
100° at 3 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
84 °F, dew point 66 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
OFP, 10 nm away

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.