Cessna 152 accident near Pacoima, California, July 29, 2001
On July 29, 2001 at about 1:46 am local time, a Cessna 152, registered N67418, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pacoima, California (Whiteman airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power while on approach for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2001 · about 1:46 am local time
- Place
- Pacoima, California · Whiteman · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N67418 · no longer on the register · serial 15281826
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane lost power while on approach to an airport. The private pilot said that at the time of the loss of engine power the left fuel gauge was still in the mid-range and the right was indicating empty. According to the airplane's tachometer the total flight time was 5.2 hours, while the Hobbs meter placed the total flight time as 5.7 hours. With the 10 gallons the pilot added prior to the return leg of the flight, the entire flight's total usable fuel quantity was 34.5 gallons. The pilot estimated the fuel consumption rate to be 6 or 7 gallons per hour. Using a 34.5-gallon fuel quantity and the 6- or 7-gallon-per-hour fuel consumption rate, the fuel endurance would have equated to 5 hours 45 minutes, or 4 hours 54 minutes, respectively. First responders to the accident site reported finding no evidence of fuel at the accident site.
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: 80 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 31 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 21, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 77 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 37 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 16, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,304.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 7, 2001; 25.1 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: IFP Bullhead City AZ at 11:30 pm
- Destination: WHP Pacoima CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 12, 4,120 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 1:47 am from WHP, 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.