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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

September 11, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N25228

Ellensburg, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ellensburg, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25228
Operator
Mid-State Aivation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA169

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT ELLENSBURG AT 1230, WITH STOPS AT PULLMAN, WALLA WALLA, AND A RETURN TO ELLENSBURG. SEVEN MILES FROM THE FINAL DESTINATION THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. LESS THAN TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE TANKS. NO FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE LINES, AND ONLY A TRACE WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED SURFACE, TERMINAL, AND WINDS ALOFT WX INFO VIA A HOME COMPUTER. THE SAME WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED WAS USED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FLIGHT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN CURRENT IN-FLIGHT WIND INFORMATION IN ORDER TO CALCULATE THAT HIS REMAINING FUEL SUPPLY WAS ADEQUATE TO REACH HIS FINAL DESTINATION. CONTRIBUTING WAS HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING.

Full Narrative

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT ELLENSBURG AT 1230, WITH STOPS AT PULLMAN, WALLA WALLA, AND A RETURN TO ELLENSBURG. SEVEN MILES FROM THE FINAL DESTINATION THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. LESS THAN TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE TANKS. NO FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE LINES, AND ONLY A TRACE WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED SURFACE, TERMINAL, AND WINDS ALOFT WX INFO VIA A HOME COMPUTER. THE SAME WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED WAS USED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FLIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25228
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMid-State Aivation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data