NTSB Factual Report

On June 19, 2005, at 1835 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N625PA, registered to Naples Air Center, Inc., and operated by the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), collided with a fence during a forced landing into a field following a loss of engine power while on approach to Naples Municipal Airport, in Naples, Florida. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and instrument flight rules (IFR). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The CFI and private pilot were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Naples Municipal Airport, Naples, Florida on June 19, 2005, at 1430.

According to the CFI and Private pilot, the purpose of the flight was an IFR cross-country training flight for the instrument student. The route of flight was from Naples, to Miami, Opa Locka, Vero Beach and return to Naples. They stated that they climbed to 5,000 feet on there way to Miami. As they got closer to Miami they were vectored around some thunderstorms that had moved into the Miami area. They asked Air Traffic if they could go direct to Opa Locka because of weather in the Miami area. They continued up to Vero Beach where they did a full VOR approach, Following the approach they were vectored for 15 to 20-minutes before they were cleared to Ft. Myers. At Ft. Myers they requested an ILS approach into Page field but later cancelled their request and headed to Naples where they requested vectors to final for the NDB 23 approach. They said that a few minutes after being handed off to the Naples Tower they experienced engine trouble. The CFI took control of the airplane and did a forced landing into a field 7-miles northeast of the airport. During the landing roll the airplane collided with a barbed wire fence, a raised 5-foot grass birm and a concrete light pole. Both pilots exited the airplane with no injuries.

Examination of the airplane found damage to the right wings leading edge and flap, the windshield, and damage to the airplanes firewall. Examination of the right fuel tank found 1/8-inch of fuel remaining when it was measured with a ruler and 1/2-inch of fuel remaining in the left fuel tank. Neither fuel tank sustained damage during the forced landing. According to the airplane's owner, the airplane holds 24 gallons of fuel and has a flight duration of 4.0 hours when topped off.

NTSB Probable Cause

The CFI's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.