Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA94LA199

Aircraft #1

N6332P

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS FROM GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TO SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT 1330, ABOUT 1 HOUR AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER AND HE OPERATED AT RICH MIXTURE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES UNTIL POWER WAS RESTORED. ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE THE VOR WENT OFF LINE AND HE HAD DIFFICULTY NAVIGATING. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT 1640, WHILE 6 MILES FROM THE AGUADILLA AIRPORT THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND HE CRASHED INTO TREES WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING.

Factual Information

On August 22, 1994, about 1640 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 152, N6332P, registered to E D B Air, Inc., collided with trees while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, on August 22, 1994, about 1233. The pilot stated to NTSB that he was ferrying the aircraft from Hollywood, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico. After a refueling stop at Grand Turk he departed for San Juan. About 1 hour after departure the engine lost about 400 rpm. He went to full mixture and throttle and turned on the carburetor heat. Engine power stabilized about 2,000 rpm. After 15 seconds he turned off the carburetor heat. After about 20 minutes engine power was restored and he was able to lean the mixture. The engine was now operating at 2,400 rpm with a 50 rpm fluctuation. He stated he used up his fuel reserve while operating with rich mixture and that the reduced engine RPM also slowed his speed. The pilot stated further that 2 1/2 hours after departure the VOR went off line and he had trouble navigating. While approaching Aguadilla he became low on fuel, and subsequently the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. While making a forced landing near the Aguadilla airport the aircraft collided with trees and then the ground.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO DIVERT AND REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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