NTSB Factual Report

On May 24, 2005, approximately 1315 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N67770, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Conroe, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to M & D Aviation and operated by Hi-Tech Aviation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The round-robin cross-country flight originated from the David Campbell Field-Corsicana Municipal Airport (CRS), near Corsicana, Texas and was destined for the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) near Spring, Texas.

The125-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he planned a cross-country flight from DWH to CRS, a one way distance of 126-nautical miles. Prior to his departure from CRS back to DWH, he visually checked the fuel in the tanks and observed that the tanks were "half-full". The pilot stated he had calculated his flight time back to DWH as 88 minutes. The pilot added that when he was "very close to DWH" when the engine lost power and he was forced to make a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll the left wing collided with a tree and the airplane spun around.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the fuel tanks contained "maybe a liter" of fuel. The left wing and spar sustained structural damage.

At 1253, the automated weather observing system at DWH, approximately 10 miles south of the accident site, reported wind variable at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, sky clear, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.