NYC04LA218

Factual narrative

On September 26, 2004, about 1825 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N67520, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field, after experiencing a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport (MGY), Dayton, Ohio. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Hook Field (MWO), Middletown, Ohio; destined for Moraine Airpark (I73), Dayton, Ohio. No flight plan was filed for the solo instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot stated that he rented the airplane at Moraine Airpark, and noted that one fuel tank was full and the fuel in the other fuel tank was approximately 1.5 inches below full. The student pilot reported that he had flown for approximately 2 hours in the vicinity of MGY, while practicing landings and "air work." He then returned to I73 to purchase an airport facility guide and fuel. However, the employee at the fixed base operator suggested that the student pilot did not need more fuel if he would be returning soon, and the airplane was not refueled. The student pilot departed I73 and practiced additional maneuvers. He then flew to MWO, and planned to terminate the flight back at I73. The airplane was en route to I73 when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The student pilot attempted to divert and glide to MGY, but made a forced landing in a field about 1/2-mile west of the airport. During the landing, the airplane nosed over, came to rest inverted, and sustained substantial damage. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the student pilot report any. The inspector did not note any fuel in either fuel tank, nor any evidence of fuel near the vicinity of the wreckage. The inspector further stated that the airplane had been operating approximately 4.2 hours without being refueled. The student pilot reported a total flight experience of 31 hours; of which, 22 hours were accumulated within the 90 days preceding the accident. Prior to departing, the student pilot observed one fuel tank full, and the fuel level in the other tank was approximately 1.5 inches below full. The student pilot practiced maneuvers near his home airport for approximately 2 hours. He then returned to the airport, but did not refuel the airplane. The student pilot departed again, and practiced maneuvers for approximately 2.2 hours. While returning to the airport, the engine lost all power. The student pilot attempted to divert and glide to a closer airport, but made a forced landing in a field about 1/2-mile from that airport. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any fuel in the fuel tanks or in the vicinity of the wreckage. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12