Cessna 152 accident near Timpson, Texas, August 3, 1993
On August 3, 1993 at about 6:00 am local time, a Cessna 152, registered N4816B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Timpson, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN FUEL EXHUSTION. FACTORS WERE: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING, AND DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 1993 · about 6:00 am local time
- Place
- Timpson, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N4816B · registry record · serial 15283652
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HE NOTED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FILLED TO CAPACITY. HE DEPARTED NEW ORLEANS,LOUISIANA, AT 2045, EN ROUTE TO ARLINGTON, TEXAS. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED A NO FLAP FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND A FENCE. THE PILOT TOLD TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
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: 114 hours in all; 82 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 50 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,427 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 28, 1993; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,672 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NEW New Orleans LA at 1:45 am
- Destination: F54 Arlington TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 070° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 am from LFK, 44 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.