N152RJ

On August 25, 1997, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N152RJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Mecca, California. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the student solo cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed.

The flight originated in Long Beach, California. The student pilot was to perform a touch-and-go landing at Bermuda Dunes, California, then proceed to his destination at Blythe, California, refuel, and then return to Long Beach.

The student pilot decided to stop at Bermuda Dunes around 1520 for a rest stop. He did not recall when he departed for Blythe, but estimated he was on the ground about 30 minutes. About 10 to 20 minutes into the flight to Blythe at 5,500 feet msl, the engine quit. He stated that he was able to get a restart for about 5 minutes then it quit again. The pilot was to have refueled at Blythe for the return flight.

According to the aircraft checkout sheet, the pilot's rental time started at a Hobbs meter time of 5,276.3. The Hobbs meter at the time of the accident was 5,279.5 indicating 3.2 hours of operation.

The pilot reported that he departed Long Beach at approximately 1330. He cruised at 5,500 feet and 2,100 rpm. He leaned the fuel mixture for best economy.

According to the Cessna cruise performance specifications using 75 percent engine power at 8,000 feet would provide a range of 350 nautical miles in 3.4 hours with the 24.5 gallon usable fuel system.

Prior to the students departure from Long Beach, the airplane had flown 1.5 hours ending at a Hobbs meter reading of 276.3. The airplane was supposedly refueled prior to the student's departure. The student stated that he visually checked the fuel and it was down about an inch in each tank. The operator did not provide refueling records. The student's flight instructor reported that he checked that the student had obtained a preflight weather briefing and the aircraft had been refueled. However, he stated that he did not visually check or see the aircraft being refueled. He did recall seeing the fuel truck near the aircraft.

After the accident the airplane was transported to a storage facility. The airplane and engine were examined. The ignition switch was removed, functional tested, opened, and examined. The engine was prepared and successfully run with a temporary fuel system. Nothing was found in the airframe or engine that would have precluded it from functioning normally.