NTSB Factual Report

On November 18, 2001, at 1510 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N48285, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Sedalia, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger did not report any injuries. The cross-country flight departed Terre Haute International Airport - Huffman Field, Terre Haute, Indiana, at 1100, and was en route to Sedalia Memorial Airport (DMO), Sedalia, Missouri, at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's written statement, about 4 miles from runway 18 at DMO the engine "slowed and then stopped." The pilot reported he established best glide speed and made a forced landing to an agricultural field. The pilot stated the agricultural field was "freshly plowed and muddy."

A post-accident inspection of the airplane revealed there was no usable fuel remaining in either of the wing fuel tanks. The fuel tanks were not ruptured.

A fuel receipt, dated November 18, 2001, indicated the accident airplane had been fueled with 24.7 gallons of fuel 30 minutes prior to the accident flight. The useable fuel for the Cessna 150 is 24.5 gallons. According to the Cessna 152 Pilot Operating Handbook, the fuel endurance at maximum cruise power at 2,000 feet above mean sea level is 3.25 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the soft, rough/uneven terrain.