# NTSB SEA89LA026: Cessna 152, N67638, Medford, OR, December 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1988, 19:20 local (Dec 16, 1988, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Medford, OR
- Coordinates: 42.279727, -122.90065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2797&lon=-122.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WITHOUT OBTAINING FUEL. APPROXIMATELY 15 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD WHICH WOULD MAKE THE FUEL TANKS ABOUT ONE-HALF FULL. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR OVER 2 HOURS AND 10 MINUTES. DARK VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE PILOT CHOSE AN UNLIT AREA TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK LUMBER IN A LUMBER YARD DURING THE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED OVER. POST ACC INVEST SHOWED NO FUEL IN THE ACFT AND NO EVIDENCE OF SPILLAGE OR LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67638](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67638), registered now, S/N 15281954, 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: 15281954
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard G. Adair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1988
- Departed: ONP, NEWPORT, OR
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MFR, Medford Jackson Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 50 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881216054659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881216054659A), Dec 16, 1988: Cessna 152, Medford, OR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route at night. Struck a wood pile and overturned landing. Failed to visually check fuel supply.

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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