CASTINE, ME, USA
N65530
Cessna 152
The student pilot reported that when he departed, the fuel tanks were about half-full. After being airborne for about 40 minutes, the engine lost power. During a forced landing on soft terrain, the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that the fuel gauges read one-quarter full when the power loss occurred. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were empty, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill or leakage. A test of the fuel gauges disclosed the gauges indicated empty when the tanks were empty.
On July 28, 1996, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N65530, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Castine, Maine. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local solo training flight originated at Belfast, Maine and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...About 1550 local time I left Belfast, ME, for a short local solo training flight. The weather was clear and wind was light, out of the northwest. I checked fuel, both by fuel gauges and by visually looking in both tanks. It appeared to be about 1/2 full or approximately 12 gals. While over Castine and headed back toward Belfast, the engine stopped around 2000 or 2500 feet msl. I established best glide speed, picked a field, applied carbheat, mixture and rocked wings, there was momentary restart. I cycled primer and had another restart. I landed in a field, the hay was high and the field was very wet. The airplane nosed over...." An FAA Airworthiness Inspector from the Portland Flight Standards District Office reported via telephone that his on-site examination of the airplane found that the fuel tanks were empty, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground, or evidence of fuel siphoning or leakage from the fuel tanks. According to a written report from an FAA Airworthiness Inspector: "...The student pilot stated that both fuel gauges read 1/4 full when fuel starvation was experienced...In summary the right fuel gauge tested slightly under 1/4 with 3.2 gallons capacity. The left fuel quantity gauge indicated considerably lower, with the same quantity of fuel...." Additionally the testing revealed that both fuel gauges read empty when the tanks were empty.
the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Factors relating to the accident were: false indication from the fuel quantity gauge, and soft terrain in the emergency landing area.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
