Accident Details
A pilot flying a Cessna 152 for aerial photography experienced a fuel exhaustion event while en route to Falls City, Nebraska. The flight originated in Nemaha County, Kansas, where the pilot took off to capture photographs. After exposing six rolls of film, the pilot continued toward Falls City. Approximately seven miles from the destination airport, the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion, forcing a landing in a wheat field.
During the landing roll, the aircraft traveled about 75 feet before the nosewheel encountered a terrace. The nosewheel dropped off the terrace edge, causing the airplane to pitch forward and nose over. The extent of damage to the aircraft was not specified in the report.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he had not flown a Cessna 152 since August 8, 1981. He acknowledged that he was not as current as he might have been regarding the fuel capacity and range of this particular aircraft model. His previous 245 hours of flight time had been accumulated in a Cessna 172, which has different fuel characteristics. The pilot did not indicate any mechanical issues with the aircraft prior to the fuel exhaustion.