# NTSB NYC99LA207: Cessna 152, N49014, Rockville, VA, August 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1999, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Rockville, VA - Coordinates: 37.720008, -77.669563 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7200&lon=-77.6696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA207 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49014-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 15283402, 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: 15283402 - Airframe hours: 5679 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990819012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990819012939A), Aug 19, 1999: Cessna 152, Rockville, VA, Substantial damage. Acft engine quit, and the pilot made an emergency landing on darwood road, the acft was destroyed on landing, other circumstances are unknown. (-23) on… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.