CHI89LA002

Factual narrative

WHILE ENROUTE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM BUFFALO, NEW YORK TO MANSFIELD, OHIO, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FARMER'S OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FIELD WAS SHORTER THAN HE EXPECTED; HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT IN TIME TO AVOID SOME TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE KNEW THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW ON FUEL, BUT HE JUDGED THAT HE COULD REACH HIS DESTINATION WITHOUT REFUELLING. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 2.5 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. THE AIRCRAFT MANUAL STATES THAT THE UNUSEABLE FUEL ON BOARD THE CESSNA 152 IS 1.75 GALLONS PER SIDE; 3.5 GALLONS TOTAL. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12