Accident Details
On September 24, 2010, at approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, registration N5364H, was involved in an accident near Tea, South Dakota. The aircraft collided with terrain during a forced landing to a muddy corn field. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time and was destined for Yankton, South Dakota.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, approximately 200 feet above ground level after takeoff, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot stated that the engine did not hesitate or misfire prior to the power loss. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a corn field. During the landing, the airplane impacted corn stalks and muddy terrain, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that the airplane contained 13 gallons of fuel at the time of the accident.
Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the vertical stabilizer was bent. The airplane was recovered for further examination. On October 7, 2010, under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane was inspected. The inspection showed that the fuel line inlet fitting to the carburetor was broken, determined to be a result of the accident sequence. No evidence of fuel was noted in the fuel tanks, and the tanks were not compromised. Prior to an engine test, a local mechanic assisting the inspector added fuel to the tanks. The Lycoming O-235-L2C engine (serial number L-20540-15) was test run on the airframe using the primer due to the broken fuel line, and the engine operated without problems at various power settings. The carburetor was disassembled and no anomalies were noted other than the broken fuel inlet fitting.