# NTSB SEA85LA125: Cessna 152, N66942, Concord, CA, May 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1985, 21:15 local (May 26, 1985, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Location: 37.9722° N, 122.0016° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Concord, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9722&lon=-122.0016&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED POWER LINES DURING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT HAD FLOWN FROM CONCORD, CA, TO RENO, NV, AND WAS RETURNING TO CONCORD WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PLT WAS RECENTLY CHECKED OUT IN THE ACFT AND WAS USED TO FLYING MOONEYS. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT REFUEL THE ACFT PRIOR TO DEPARTING RENO BECAUSE HE FEARED THE ACFT PERFORMANCE WOULD BE DETERIORATED AND HE HAD TO CROSS THE MOUNTAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66942](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66942-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 15281677, built 1978 (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: 15281677
- Airframe hours: 3187
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Silver Wings Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 7, 1984, 83 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: HWE, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 547 total, 206 in this make and model, 451 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 22 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °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 19850525051639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850525051639A), May 25, 1985: Cessna 152, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines during off airport night emergency landing. Fuel exhaustion.

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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