Cessna 152 accident near Danbury, Connecticut, November 28, 1991
On November 28, 1991 at about 10:48 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N25262, was substantially damaged in an accident near Danbury, Connecticut. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL SYSTEM EXHAUSTION AND A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'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
- November 28, 1991 · about 10:48 pm local time
- Place
- Danbury, Connecticut
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N25262 · no longer on the register · serial 15280560
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE RETURN FLIGHT. BECAUSE OF A HOLIDAY, THERE WAS NO REFUELING SERVICE AVAILABLE. THE STUDENT DECIDED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT AND HE DEPARTED. THE ENGINE QUITE APPROXIMATELY 1.75 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE. THE FAA FOUND NO FUEL IN 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: 59 hours in all; 49 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Action Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: 5B6 Falmouth MA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: POU Dutchess County NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°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.