ROCKVILLE, VA, USA
N49014
Cessna 152
The pilot departed for an estimated 2.5 hour cross-country flight. During the flight, the pilot calculated the airplane would have over an extra hour of fuel onboard after the total trip, and he flew an additional .75 hours. While returning to the departure airport, the airplane experienced a partial power loss, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane's left wing struck a telephone pole, and the empennage contacted a fence. Examination of the wreckage revealed no fuel in the airplane's left fuel tank, and about 1/2 gallon remained in the right fuel tank. After fuel was supplied to the engine fuel lines, the engine started and performed satisfactorily. Review of the airplane's rental log, and Hobbs meter revealed the airplane had been operated for 3.4 hours. According to the Airplane Operating Manual, the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 1 1/2 gallons were unusable. Additionally, the airplane's endurance chart indicated about 3.4 hours of endurance at 75 percent power.
On August 19, 1999, about 1720 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 152, N49014, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Rockville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at the Hanover County Municipal Airport (OFP), Ashland, Virginia, about 1355. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he departed OFP with full fuel for a flight to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), Weyers Cave, Virginia. The pilot calculated that approximately 15 gallons of fuel would be consumed for the estimated 2.5 hour flight. After he reached the Shenandoah Valley, the pilot calculated the airplane would have over an extra hour of fuel onboard after the total trip, and he flew an additional .75 hours. The pilot performed a touch and go at SHD and then departed the area for OFP. While en route to OFP, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane's left wing struck a telephone pole, and the empennage contacted a fence. Examination of the wreckage was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. During disassembly of the airplane, no fuel was found in the airplane's left fuel tank, and about 1/2 gallon remained in the right fuel tank. Neither fuel tank had been compromised during the accident. After fuel was supplied to the engine fuel lines, the engine started and performed satisfactorily. Review of the airplane's rental log and Hobbs meter, revealed the airplane had been operated for 3.4 hours. According to the Airplane Operating Manual, the airplane's total fuel capacity was 26 gallons, of which 1 1/2 gallons were unusable. Additionally, the airplane's endurance chart indicated about 3.4 hours of endurance at 75 percent power.
Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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