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NTSB Report
September 10, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N65406
Murrieta, CA
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Murrieta, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N65406
Operator
Carlsbad Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA321
While on a dual instruction flight, the aircraft ran out of fuel prior to arriving at the destination airport. The flight instructor reported that the fuel tanks were low; however, both indicator gauges read ample fuel quantity for a 1-1/2 hour flight with 1/2 hour reserve. The aircraft had been airborne for about 1 hour 20 minutes when the engine lost power. Subsequently, the airplane was damaged during a forced landing on a road.
NTSB Probable Cause
failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure an adequate preflight of the airplane, and his failure to properly quantify or verify the fuel onboard before departing on a dual instruction flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.
Full Narrative
On September 10, 1997, about 0820 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N65406, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Murrieta, California. Neither the instructor pilot nor the student pilot were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at 0700 on the morning of the accident. According to local authorities the aircraft ran out of fuel and force landed on a dirt road. The instructor reported that the fuel tanks were low, however, both indicator gauges read ample fuel quantity for a 1 1/2 hour flight with 1/2 hour reserve. The airplane had been airborne about 1 hour 20 minutes when the engine quit. The instructor pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN65406
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarlsbad Air Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC