NYC87LA086

Factual narrative

THE CESSNA 152 TOOK OFF AND AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE STUDENT PILOT WHO HAD MADE THE TAKEOFF TURNED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT OVER TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, WHO MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A DRAG STRIP PARKING LOT WHICH WAS COVERED WITH SNOW AND ICE. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED INTO A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE STUDENT PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHILE THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE MAIN FUEL STRAINER WAS DRAINED AND IT WAS NOTED THE FUEL WAS APPROXIMATELY 50% WATER. THE FUEL IN THE UNDERGROUND TANK THAT WAS USED TO FUEL THE AIRCRAFT WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FUEL OUT OF THE PUMPS WAS APPROXIMATELY 10% WATER. IN ADDITION THE FUEL FILTERS WERE DIRTY AND CONTAINED ICE CRYSTALS. THE SOURCE OF THE WATER INTO THE UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS WAS NOT DETERMINED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12