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ATL97LA125

1997-08-26 · WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport F45

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the flight instructor's (CFI's) inaccurate assessment of fuel available for the flight, and his improper in-flight planning/decision by continuing the training flight with minimal fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.

Factual narrative

On August 26, 1997, about 0030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6216Q, force landed in a residential area and collided with terrain, 12 miles north-northwest of the Palm Beach International Airport, Florida. The airplane was operated by the commercial student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The instructor and student were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot stated that the engine had quit and they had to make a forced landing. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The student pilot stated that they landed the airplane at Orlando Executive Airport to refuel, but found the FBO was closed. He was advised by his instructor that he had sufficient fuel for the flight to Palm Beach. They flew to Melbourne International Airport to "do a touch and go". While en-route to Palm Beach the engine quit and the instructor took control of the airplane and attempted restart procedures, but failed. The student pilot said, the instructor declared an emergency due to low fuel and was vectored to North County airport, but was unable to make it. The instructor landed the airplane on a dirt road and collided with a mailbox, and trees. The commercial-rated, student pilot stated that they landed the airplane at Orlando Executive Airport to refuel, but found the FBO was closed. He was advised by his instructor (CFI) that he had sufficient fuel for the flight to Palm Beach. They flew to Melbourne International Airport to 'do a touch and go.' While en-route to Palm Beach, the engine lost power, and the CFI took control of the airplane. The CFI declared an emergency due to low fuel, and was vectored to North County Airport, but was unable to reach it. The CFI landed the airplane on a dirt road, and the airplane collided with a mailbox and trees. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1997_ATL97LA125.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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