Casualties unknown

1997-09-10: Cessna 152 (N65406) — Carlsbad Air Service — Murrieta, CA

Murrieta, CA, US

On September 10, 1997, a Cessna 152 (registration N65406) operated by Carlsbad Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Murrieta, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to monitor fuel quantity accurately, leading to fuel exhaustion during flight. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A training aircraft ran out of fuel during a dual instruction flight despite gauges indicating sufficient quantity, leading to engine failure and a forced landing on a road.

What happened

During a dual instruction flight, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power due to fuel exhaustion before reaching the intended destination airport. The flight instructor noted that the fuel tanks were physically low, yet both fuel quantity indicator gauges displayed ample fuel for the planned duration of the flight, which included approximately one and a half hours of flight time plus a half-hour reserve.

The aircraft remained airborne for roughly one hour and twenty minutes before the engine lost power. Following the loss of propulsion, the pilot executed a forced landing on a road, resulting in damage to the airplane.

The investigation

Examination of the event focused on the discrepancy between the fuel quantity indicators and the actual fuel state. The flight instructor reported that while the tanks were low, the gauges indicated sufficient fuel for the remaining flight time with reserve.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to monitor fuel quantity accurately, leading to fuel exhaustion during flight.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08885. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.