Cessna 152 accident near Pontiac, Michigan, December 3, 2003
On December 3, 2003 at about 3:33 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N65455, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pontiac, Michigan (Oakland County International airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor to the accident was the tree line and the unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 3, 2003 · about 3:33 pm local time
- Place
- Pontiac, Michigan · Oakland County International · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N65455 · registry record · serial 15281562
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on final approach. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the airplane did not have enough altitude at the time of the loss of engine power to land on the runway and he performed a forced landing to a small field. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the airplane's fuel system, including the fuel tanks, lines, and selector valve during a post-accident examination. The gascolator and carburetor were void of fuel when examined at the accident site. No fuel was recovered from the ruptured left fuel tank or the apparently undamaged right fuel tank. There was no noticeable fuel smell or evidence of a fuel spill at the accident site. The vegetation around the main wreckage was not blighted when examined a day after the accident. No anomalies were found with the engine that would have prevented its operation. The CFI reported that prior to the flight he and his student both visually ascertained the airplane's fuel quantity. He reported that both fuel tanks were half full (13 total gallons), which correlated with the indications displayed on the cockpit fuel quantity gauges. The CFI provided documentation that substantiated the fuel quantity aboard the airplane prior to its last departure. The CFI stated that after the accident his dual-student was partially trapped under the left side of the airplane and "a steady stream of fuel was pouring on his left side." Emergency room documentation confirmed that the dual-student had suffered chemical burns on his left shoulder, chest and back. In the event the airplane departed with 13 gallons of fuel, there should have been sufficient fuel for the approximately 1/2 hour accident flight. The airport temperature and dew point would produce the likelihood of light carburetor icing accumulation during cruise and/or descent engine 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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 325 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 246 as pilot in command; 26 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 30, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 13 hours in all; 13 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,907.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 9, 2003; 47.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 57D New Haven MI at 3:18 pm
- Destination: PTK Pontiac MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27L, 6,200 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.55 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PTK, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.