Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 10, 1995, at 0030 CDT, a Cessna 152, N67570, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Marlin, Texas. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated on a personal flight by North Texas Areo, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Roanoke, Texas, at 2130 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the dark night cross country flight and no flight plan was filed.
During a personal interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that during cruise at 4,000 feet MSL the flight "encountered strong winds" and that he "strayed off course several times." He further stated that he decided to divert and land at Waco, Texas. Subsequently a total loss of engine power occurred and a forced landing was made to freshly plowed muddy terrain. The airplane came to rest inverted.
The pilot had reported in his written statement that he had been airborne for approximately 3 hours. The FAA inspector had determined that the airplanes tachometer time elapsed was 3.6 hours. When the airplane was recovered from the field, both wing tanks were drained and a total of one gallon of fuel was recovered.
In the enclosed pilot report, under mechanical malfunction or failure, the pilot entered "NO."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA164