Cessna 152 accident near Logan, Utah, July 24, 1989
On July 24, 1989 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N46260, was substantially damaged in an accident near Logan, Utah (Logan Cache airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, AND THE STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 1989 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Logan, Utah · Logan Cache · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N46260 · no longer on the register · serial 15283023
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PLT TOOK THE ACFT ON A FLT WITHOUT HAVING IT REFUELED & COMMENCED TO PRACTICE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT AFTER THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM A TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE ACFT BEGAN TURNING, THEN IT ENTERED A STEEP SPIRALING DESCENT & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN TWO PREVIOUS FLTS SINCE IT WAS LAST REFUELED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR & ONLY 'A CUP OR TWO' OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS.
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: student
- Flight time: 30 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,967 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 21, 1989; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Logan Air Service
The flight
- Departed from: LGU at 3:45 pm
- Destination: LGU
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,931 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.