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Nose-over during forced landing after in-flight power loss (N4931M)

Elkhart, IN, US

On February 13, 1990, a Cessna 152 (registration N4931M) operated by Rachel Diehl was involved in an aviation accident near Elkhart, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply for the cross-country flight, as evidenced by the encounter with strong headwinds and the subsequent loss of engine power. 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 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft lost engine power during cruise flight and executed a forced landing at night in an open field, resulting in a nose-over upon touchdown.

What happened

The pilot reported that the aircraft experienced an unexpected loss of engine power while cruising. Due to the failure occurring during daytime operations, the pilot elected to execute a forced landing in an open field as darkness approached. The aircraft touched down safely on the ground but subsequently nosed over during the landing roll.

The investigation

Investigative personnel examined the fuel system to determine if fuel starvation was a contributing factor. Investigators drained a total of 1-1/2 gallons of fuel from the wing fuel tanks, confirming that residual fuel remained in the system at the time of the incident.

Findings

The pilot stated that he encountered unexpected, strong headwinds during the cross-country flight. These conditions likely increased fuel consumption beyond initial estimates or extended the flight duration, leading to the power loss. The aircraft nosed over due to the nature of the forced landing in unprepared terrain.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply for the cross-country flight, as evidenced by the encounter with strong headwinds and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Feb 1990 Cessna 152 accident near Elkhart, IN?

An aircraft lost engine power during cruise flight and executed a forced landing at night in an open field, resulting in a nose-over upon touchdown.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Feb 1990 involved a Cessna 152, registration N4931M, operated by Rachel Diehl, at Elkhart, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply for the cross-country flight, as evidenced by the encounter with strong headwinds and the subsequent loss of engine power.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22526. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.