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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 9, 1991 · Cessna 152 · N5533B

Indian Springs, NV

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Indian Springs, NV
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5533B
Operator
Aerleon
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA298

THE PILOT WAS FLYING A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND HEAVY RAIN. HE SAID THAT HE BECAME DISORIENTED BECAUSE OF THE DARKNESS AND WEATHER. HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT SEE HIS MAGNETIC COMPASS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND HIS GLASSES. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH TIME HE HAD BEEN FLYING BECAUSE HE LOST HIS WATCH AND THE AIRCRAFT'S CLOCK WAS INOPERABLE. AFTER FLYING AROUND DISORIENTED FOR AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME, HE CONTACTED AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY FOR ASSISTANCE. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AFTER HE CONTACTED THEM, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT ENTERED A FORCED LANDING DESCENT. HE LANDED HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND LESS THAN ONE CUP OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE COULD BE FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE PILOT BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED ; 2) THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS; 3) THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEEK HELP IN A TIMELY FASHION; AND 4) THE LOSS OF HIS EYEGLASSES WITH THE RESULTANT VISUAL PROBLEMS.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS FLYING A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND HEAVY RAIN. HE SAID THAT HE BECAME DISORIENTED BECAUSE OF THE DARKNESS AND WEATHER. HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT SEE HIS MAGNETIC COMPASS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND HIS GLASSES. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH TIME HE HAD BEEN FLYING BECAUSE HE LOST HIS WATCH AND THE AIRCRAFT'S CLOCK WAS INOPERABLE. AFTER FLYING AROUND DISORIENTED FOR AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME, HE CONTACTED AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY FOR ASSISTANCE. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AFTER HE CONTACTED THEM, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT ENTERED A FORCED LANDING DESCENT. HE LANDED HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND LESS THAN ONE CUP OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE COULD BE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:39 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5533B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAerleon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data