On May 6, 1985, a Cessna 152 (registration N24970) was involved in an aviation accident near Wickenburg, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot departed Bullhead City with low fuel and attempted an emergency landing at Wickenburg, but the engine failed before arrival, resulting in a forced landing in a dry wash.
What happened
The pilot departed from Bullhead City with an estimated 12 gallons of fuel on board. During the flight, the pilot realized that the aircraft was running low on fuel and decided to divert to Wickenburg Airport for an emergency landing. Before reaching the airport, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft sustained damage during a forced landing in a dry wash approximately one mile northwest of the destination airport.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this incident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot's decision to continue the flight with insufficient fuel reserves led to the loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.
What happened in the 6 May 1985 Cessna 152 accident near Wickenburg, AZ?
A pilot departed Bullhead City with low fuel and attempted an emergency landing at Wickenburg, but the engine failed before arrival, resulting in a forced landing in a dry wash.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 6 May 1985 involved a Cessna 152, registration N24970, at Wickenburg, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.
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