SAN JOSE, CA, USA
N49925
CESSNA 152
AT 1830 PST, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM VAN NUYS, CA, ON A FLT TO OAKLAND, CA, WITH A PLANNED PASSENGER STOP AT HAYWARD, CA. HE STATED THAT AT ABOUT 2150 PST, BEFORE REACHING HAYWARD, THE ENG LOST POWER. HE TURNED TOWARD THE NEAREST ARPT, WHICH WAS AT SAN JOSE, CA, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH IT. DRG AN EMERG LANDING AT NIGHT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & A BLDG, THEN CAME TO REST IN A PARKING LOT. DRG A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT, ONLY ABOUT 1-1/4 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING.ACCORDING TO THE CESSNA OPERATING MANUAL, 1-1/2 GAL OF FUEL WAS CONSIDERED TO BE UNUSABLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ACFT AFTER THE ACDNT & NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED.
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: DARK NIGHT,TREES, AND THE BUILDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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