Cessna C-152 N48251

Summary

On 11 January 2008 at about 18:00 local time, a Cessna C-152 registered N48251 was involved in an accident near Labelle, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 January 2008 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Labelle, Florida, United States

Coordinates

26.7789, -81.4322

Aircraft

Cessna C-152

Registration

N48251

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ocala → Immokalee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC08CA080

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to takeoff from an inadequate field after a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the Cessna 152 fueled the airplane to full tanks, prior to departure. He planned for his flight to take approximately 3 hours, and his past experience led him to estimate a 4-hour endurance for the airplane. After approximately 2.7 hours, the engine began to run rough, and the pilot diverted to a nearby airport. The engine continued to lose power, and the pilot decided to land in a field, when he realized he would not be able to make it to the airport. After landing, the pilot observed that the left fuel tank was empty. The right fuel tank contained fuel, and its fuel gauge indicated 1/4 tank full. The pilot then decided to add fuel to the airplane and take off from the field. During the attempted takeoff, the airplane struck a rut in the grass and nosed over, substantially damaging the wings and fuselage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.