# NTSB ATL82DA117: Cessna 152, N49924, White Sulphur S, WV, April 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1982, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: White Sulphur S, WV
- Location: 37.8011° N, 80.3008° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of White Sulphur Springs, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8011&lon=-80.3008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA117

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 26 WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL, ONE PASSENGER, AND LUGGAGE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT OR NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 60 DEGREES. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 1801 FT MSL AND TWO RIDGE LINES RAN PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY. THE RIDGE TO THE SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY ROSE RAPIDLY TO AN ELEVATION OF 3100 FT MSL. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN. HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND AIR CURRENTS OVER RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 50 KNOTS. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN AND OUT OF THIS AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49924](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49924-2001-02-20), registration cancelled 2001-02-20, S/N 15281397 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281397
- Airframe hours: 1680
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Haps Aerial Enterprises
- Registered owner: Haps Aerial Enterprises
- Departed: SSU, WHITE SULPHUR S, WV
- Destination: MOREHEAD, KY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SSU, White Sulphur Springs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,076 total, 105 in this make and model, 960 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820430023039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820430023039A), Apr 30, 1982: Cessna 152, White Sulphur S, WV, Destroyed. Made turn into rising terrain on climbout instead of normal highway gap route. Near gross weight. Flew into trees.

## Other investigations on N49924 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC78FTK14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FTK14), May 9, 1978: Cessna 152 (N49924), Yankton, SD, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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