Cessna 152 Forced Landing After Engine Failure; Investigation Reveals Empty Fuel Tanks (N68129)

Accident Overview

At approximately the time the flight was cleared to land at the destination airport, the engine began to run roughly. The pilot selected a forced landing site. He reported that the mixture was at full rich and carburetor heat had been applied when the loss of engine power occurred. During the landing, the airplane collided with trees of small diameter. As the airplane rolled out, the nose wheel hit a mound of dirt, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injury.

Investigation Findings

A postaccident investigation revealed that there was no fuel in the airplane fuel tanks and no fuel or fuel residue on the ground at the accident site. During a postaccident engine run, the engine was fully operational. The pilot reported his planned flight time en route to his destination to be three hours and seventeen minutes at 75% power setting. According to the Cessna 152 flight manual, the maximum endurance at 75% power (allowing for unusable fuel) was three hours and five minutes.

Probable Cause

The investigation report did not state a probable cause.