Cessna 152 N49508

Summary

On 3 October 1999 at about 03:04 local time, a Cessna 152 registered N49508 was involved in an accident near Pensacola, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 October 1999 at 03:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Pensacola, Florida, United States

Coordinates

30.4701, -87.1902

Aircraft

Cessna 152

Registration

N49508

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dauphin Island → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA00LA001

2 people had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to ensure the aircraft contained adequate fuel to complete the flight resulting in engine failure due to fuel exhaustion and damage to the aircraft during the subsequent forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger did not check the fuel quantity prior to departure. While approaching the destination the engine began to fluctuate between 2,500 and 500 rpm. The pilot reported to controllers that he did have any fuel. The engine quit and the pilot attempted to make a forced landing in the parking lot of a shopping mall. The pilot then observed cars and made a forced landing on the roof of the mall. Post crash examination of the aircraft and crash site by FAA and Fire Department personnel showed the aircraft contained no usable fuel and there was no precrash or post crash fuel leakage from the aircraft. The carburetor was replaced and the engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. Teardown examination of the accident carburetor showed no evidence of failure or malfunction. All fuel lines were unobstructed. The aircraft operator stated the aircraft had flown 4.5 flight hours since the last refueling and that the aircraft holds 24.5 gallons of usable fuel. They stated the aircraft consumes about 6 gallons of fuel per flight hour.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.