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Forced Landing on Dike After Fuel Exhaustion (N65611)

Coral Springs, FL, US

On November 12, 1998, a Cessna 152 (registration N65611) operated by Aircraft Developement Flight was involved in an aviation accident near Coral Springs, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The delay by the pilot to obtain proper assistance after becoming lost/disoriented resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot became lost and contacted Miami AFSS with low fuel. After the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion, the airplane landed on a dike and collided with trees.

Incident Overview and Pilot Report The pilot reported that the flight departed and, after reaching the third-to-last checkpoint, he was unable to locate the next checkpoint. He orbited the area and became lost. Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes after departure, he contacted the Miami Air Force Station (AFSS) and advised that he was lost, that the right fuel tank was empty, and that the left fuel tank was low on fuel. He then flew away from the congested area, expecting to perform a forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. After the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion, he landed the airplane on a dike. During the landing roll, the airplane rolled off the dike and collided with trees. The airplane had been operated for 3.8 hours since takeoff according to the hour meter. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks were empty.

Engine failureFuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Nov 1998 Cessna 152 accident near Coral Springs, FL?

A pilot became lost and contacted Miami AFSS with low fuel. After the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion, the airplane landed on a dike and collided with trees.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Nov 1998 involved a Cessna 152, registration N65611, operated by Aircraft Developement Flight, at Coral Springs, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The delay by the pilot to obtain proper assistance after becoming lost/disoriented resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11478. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.