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Pilot's Flight from San Carlos to Oceanside Includes Unscheduled Stop at Santa Catalina Island (N747CM)

Oceanside, CA, US

On June 17, 1991, a Cessna 152 (registration N747CM) operated by Flight Simulation was involved in an aviation accident near Oceanside, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING. 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 pilot flew from San Carlos to Santa Catalina Island, expecting fuel, but found it unavailable. He then continued to Oceanside, California, covering distances over water.

Flight from San Carlos to Santa Catalina

The pilot departed from San Carlos in the San Francisco Bay Area and flew non-stop to the airport on Santa Catalina Island. Santa Catalina Island is located 22 miles offshore to the south of the Los Angeles Basin. The air mile distance between San Carlos and Santa Catalina was measured at about 340 nautical miles.

Fuel Availability at Santa Catalina

The pilot thought that he could obtain fuel at the Santa Catalina airport. However, the Airport Facility Directory notes that fuel is unavailable at that airport.

Continued Flight to Oceanside

After departing Santa Catalina, the pilot elected to continue the flight to Oceanside, California, which was the ultimate destination of the flight. The straight line distance from Santa Catalina Island to Oceanside was measured at 58 nautical miles, and this leg was entirely over water. For comparison, the distance from the island to the nearest airport in the Los Angeles Basin was measured at 26 nautical miles.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Jun 1991 Cessna 152 accident near Oceanside, CA?

A pilot flew from San Carlos to Santa Catalina Island, expecting fuel, but found it unavailable. He then continued to Oceanside, California, covering distances over water.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Jun 1991 involved a Cessna 152, registration N747CM, operated by Flight Simulation, at Oceanside, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17313. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.