Aviation Accident Summary DEN01LA011

ROSWELL, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N95262

Cessna 152

Analysis

During approach, the engine stopped producing power, and the flight instructor performed a night forced landing to a "dark area." During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a transmission wire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed 1 pint of fuel remaining in each wing tank. The flight instructor said that he watched his student perform the preflight, but was distracted by a conversation with a fellow employee. The flight instructor said that he did not visually check the fuel tanks himself.

Factual Information

On November 6, 2000, at 1747 mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N95262, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Roswell, New Mexico. The flight instructor and his student were not injured. Great Southwest Aviation, Inc., Roswell, New Mexico, was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, instructional flight that originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident. The flight instructor had not filed a flight plan. According to the flight instructor, while approaching the airport, the engine stopped producing power, and he performed a night forced landing to a "dark area." During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a transmission wire. Subsequently, during the landing sequence, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer were damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a mechanic revealed 1 pint of fuel remaining in each wing tank. The flight instructor said that he watched his student perform the preflight, but was distracted by a conversation with a fellow employee. The flight instructor said that he did not visually check the fuel tanks himself.

Probable Cause and Findings

the flight instructor's failure to adequately preflight the airplane, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the dark night light condition.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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