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Student Pilot Makes Emergency Landing After Engine Power Loss (N66988)

Bunker Hill, IL, US

On April 7, 1989, a Cessna 152 (registration N66988) operated by Premier Air Center, Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Bunker Hill, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN. 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.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot executed an emergency landing in a wheat field after the engine lost power about 45 minutes into a flight, having not refueled before departure. The aircraft nosed over and sustained damage.

Preflight and Departure

During a preflight inspection, the student pilot checked the fuel gauges and visually inspected the fuel tanks. Based on these checks, the pilot believed the fuel tanks were about half full. The student pilot then took off without refueling the aircraft.

Inflight Event

Approximately 45 minutes after departure, the engine lost power. The student pilot initiated an emergency landing in a wheat field. During the landing, the aircraft nosed over and was damaged.

Fuel Records

Records indicated that the aircraft had flown 3.8 hours on a previous flight after it was last refueled. At economy cruise power settings, the maximum flight time for this aircraft was estimated to be 4.22 hours.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Apr 1989 Cessna 152 accident near Bunker Hill, IL?

A student pilot executed an emergency landing in a wheat field after the engine lost power about 45 minutes into a flight, having not refueled before departure. The aircraft nosed over and sustained damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 7 Apr 1989 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Apr 1989 involved a Cessna 152, registration N66988, operated by Premier Air Center, Inc, at Bunker Hill, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28061. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.