On December 16, 1988, a Cessna 152 (registration N49209) operated by Air Link, Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Greeley, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in engine power loss and a subsequent 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 flying cross-country ran out of fuel three miles from the destination and landed on an icy road, striking a pole during rollout.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight when the engine failed approximately three miles from the intended destination due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot executed an emergency landing on an ice-covered asphalt road. During the rollout phase, the left main landing gear departed the roadway, causing the left wing to strike a telephone pole. The aircraft then swung 180 degrees and came to rest in an adjacent field.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. The damage was consistent with the described impact with the telephone pole and the subsequent swing of the aircraft.
Findings
fuel exhaustion
ice-covered road surface
left main gear departure from runway
left wing strike on telephone pole
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight, which resulted in engine power loss and a subsequent forced landing.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…