2005 Cessna F 152 accident near Parndorf, Austria

Overview and Investigation Context On 2 September 2005, a Cessna F 152 motor aircraft operated by a flight club was involved in an accident near Parndorf, Austria. The incident occurred at approximately 15:30 UTC in the municipality of Parndorf, Burgenland, near the Bruck-Neudorf military training area, at an elevation of about 175 m above sea level. The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) issued a simplified investigation report in 2023, noting that the investigation was conducted under the former Flight Accident Investigation Act (FlUG) because the accident predated the 2005 Accident Investigation Act (UUG 2005). The report states that the investigation was closed with a simplified report because the findings were not considered of significant safety importance, and that the purpose of the investigation was solely to determine the cause for accident prevention, not to assign fault or liability. ## Aircraft and Flight Details The aircraft was a Cessna F 152 motor aircraft manufactured by Reims Aviation, France, with Austrian nationality. It was operated by a flight club. The flight phase at the time of the accident was cruise flight. ## Sequence of Events The pilot departed from Spitzerberg airfield (LOAS) at approximately 13:35 UTC on 2 September 2005 with one passenger for a training flight to Punitz airfield (LOGP). On the return flight to Spitzerberg, after a flight time of approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes and at an altitude of about 2,000 ft, the pilot noticed a rapid drop in the fuel gauge and engine sputtering. Shortly thereafter, the engine failed completely. The pilot reported over frequency 118.525 (TFI) that the fuel was exhausted and that he would make an emergency landing at Parndorf. The pilot then made a controlled landing in a field. However, the emergency landing site proved too short, and the aircraft rolled straight into a wooded area, where it came to a stop after colliding with trees. The pilot and passenger were able to leave the aircraft independently with minor injuries. The motor aircraft was destroyed in the collision. ## Injuries and Damage One crew member and one passenger sustained minor injuries. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported. The aircraft was destroyed.