NTSB Factual Report

On July 21, 2001, at 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N50SX, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Springdale Municipal Airport, Springdale, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Drake Aviation Academy, Inc., of Springdale, Arkansas. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Springdale Municipal Airport at 1115.

According to written statements provided by the instructor and student, they were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the 8th takeoff, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and elected to land in a field near the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted an "unseen ditch," damaging the engine firewall and the right horizontal stabilizer.

On July 24, 2001, an FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft. According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft's fuel tanks contained a total of 0.5 gallons of fuel. The aircraft's fuel strainer was examined and found to be clean. The engine's crankshaft continuity was confirmed by manually rotating the crankshaft flange. Thumb compression and valve action were obtained on all 4 cylinders. The engine ignition system was tested and found to operate properly. The aircraft's pilot operating handbook indicates that there is a total fuel capacity of 26 gallons, of which 1.5 gallons is considered unusable fuel. According to the operator, the pilots did not refuel the airplane prior to the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the instructor's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.