N68197

On February 19, 2000, about 1730 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N68197, collided with water while attempting an emergency landing following a loss of engine power near the Leesburg Municipal Airport, in Leesburg, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Sanford, Florida, at 1700.

The pilot stated that on February 18, 2000, he departed Daytona Beach, Florida, with full tanks of fuel and flew to Marco Island, Florida. The pilot then added nine gallons of fuel to his tanks in Marco Island, Florida and flew to Sanford, Florida. He stated that he used six gallons per hour as his fuel burn during the flight and calculated the remaining fuel on board to be one hour when he arrived in Sanford. He reported that on the following day, February 19, 2000, he departed Sanford, Florida for Leesburg, Florida, which is a 30 minute flight. He reported that he ran out of fuel on approach to Leesburg Municipal Airport and made a forced landing 200 meters from the approach end of runway 31.

The pilot reported that he miscalculated his fuel consumption and ran out of fuel prior to reaching the destination airport. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or component failures with the airplane.