Cessna 152 accident near Bunn Level, North Carolina, March 20, 1999
On March 20, 1999 at about 4:28 am local time, a Cessna 152, registered N46542, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bunn Level, North Carolina (Harnett County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were an electrical system malfunction for undetermined reasons and the dark night conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 1999 · about 4:28 am local time
- Place
- Bunn Level, North Carolina · Harnett County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N46542 · no longer on the register · serial 15283069
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine could not be started during the departure preparations. The battery was changed and the engine started. According to the pilot, after engine start, the instrument lights did not illuminate. He elected to continue the night cross country flight. Approximately one hour into the flight, the pilot's flashlight failed followed by loss of vacuum pressure and a subsequent loss of the vacuum-driven instruments. Moments later, while at 3,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot stated that all electrical power was lost followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing in a wooded area and collided with several trees. Following the accident, the engine, alternator, vacuum pump, carburetor, and magnetos that were on the airplane at the time of the accident were tested and found to function normally through all ranges of power settings.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 110 hours in all; 80 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,904 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 5, 1999
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FLO Florence SC at 3:15 am
- Destination: DLC Dillon SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:45 am from FAY, 70 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.