NTSB Factual Report

On July 28, 2001, about 1846 Pacific daylight time a Cessna 152 single engine airplane, N67418, made a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on approach to the Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sun Quest Inc., Pacoima, as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot received minor injuries and the private pilot passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Bullhead City, Arizona, about 1630 mountain standard time, and was returning to Pacoima.

According to the pilots' written statement, they departed on their flight to Bullhead City approximately 0800. Along the way, one of the pilots needed to relieve himself, so they diverted to another airport along their route of flight. Before they landed, they noticed a higher than normal indication on the vacuum system's suction gauge. After landing they were unable to find a mechanic who was available to examine the vacuum system. The pilots then elected to takeoff and continue to their planned destination.

After landing in Bullhead City, they arranged for a mechanic to inspect the vacuum system and indicated they would return after 2 hours. According to the pilot, they filled out a fuel slip requesting fuel before they left to get something to eat. Upon returning to the airport, the mechanic informed the pilots that the vacuum pump was inoperative. The pilots called Sun Quest and were told they could fly back to Whiteman provided the instruments were labeled inoperative.

The pilots believed they needed to get airborne while it was still daylight and performed a preflight inspection. The pilots indicated it was approximately 115 degrees Fahrenheit when they were preparing to depart. During the preflight inspection, the pilots noticed the fuel tanks had not been refueled. They elected to add 10 gallons of fuel for the return trip and departed.

The pilots reported that when they passed Agua Dulce Airport (approximately 15 nautical miles north-northeast of the accident site), the fuel gauges indicated "approximately ½ tank of gas." They contacted Whiteman air traffic control tower, reported a 3-mile final as instructed, and completed a before landing check. While they were 1.25 miles from the approach end of the runway, the engine experienced a "sudden" loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine 3 times to no avail. The pilot declared an emergency and set up for landing on a road. During landing, the left wing impacted a sign and nosed over, coming to rest inverted.

According to fire department personnel on scene, the pilot commented to them that they may have run out of fuel. The fire department reported that the airplane appeared to be out of fuel.

During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that at the time of the loss of engine power the left fuel gauge was still in the mid-range and the right was on empty. He estimated the total flight time from Pacoima to Bullhead City and back was about 5 hours 15 minutes. The pilot estimated they would consume 6 or 7 gallons per hour as a fuel burn rate.

The airplane's total fuel capacity is 26 gallons (13 gallons in each fuel tank), with both tanks feeding via gravity through the fuel selector valve and to gascolator and carburetor. The fuel selector valve has two positions, both tanks ON or both tanks OFF. The total usable fuel quantity is 24.5 gallons. Therefore, with the 10 gallons of fuel added at the departure airport, the flight total usable fuel quantity was 34.5 gallons. With 34.5 gallons available, and a 7-gallon-per-hour fuel burn rate, the total flight time available would calculate to 4.9 hours (or 4 hours 54 minutes). With a 6-gallon-per-hour fuel burn rate, the total flight time available would equate to 5.75 hours (or 5 hours 45 minutes). According to the Sun Quest's flight log, the accident flight lasted 5.2 hours according to the tachometer, and 5.7 hours according to the Hobbs meter.

The pilot-in-command reported having had accumulated a total of 80 flight hours, 4 of which had been flown in the accident airplane make and model. The private pilot passenger reported having had accumulated a total of 77 flight hours, of which 7 hours had been flown in the accident airplane make and model.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power while on approach for landing.