# NTSB ATL84LA042: Cessna 152, N6470Q, Leesburg, VA, November 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1983, 19:00 local (Nov 10, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, VA
- Location: 39.1028° N, 77.5545° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Leesburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1028&lon=-77.5545&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - cooling system,cowling - loose (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, dual student (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - inattentive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1,000 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 17 THE ENG COWLING OPENED ON THE LEFT SIDE & BEGAN FLAPPING. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL & RETURNED TO THE ARPT ON A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 17. WHEN SHE SAW THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW TO MAKE THE FIELD, SHE TURNED OFF THE FUEL, MIXTURE & CARB HEAT. THE ACFT STRUCK A UTILITY POLE WITH THE LEFT WING PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. THE CFI STATED THAT AS FAR AS SHE CAN REMEMBER, 'NEITHER SHE OR THE STUDENT TOUCHED THE POWER ALTHOUGH THE THROTTLE MAY HAVE VIBRATED OUT A LITTLE.' PRIOR TO THE FLT, A MECHANIC HAD LOOSENED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENG COWLING TO CHECK A LANDING LIGHT WIRE PLUG CONNECTION. HE CLOSED THE COWLING BUT DID NOT FASTEN IT. THE STUDENT PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OFTHE ACFT BUT DID NOT DISCOVER THE LOOSE FASTENERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6470Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6470Q-1985-05-10), registration cancelled 1985-05-10, S/N 15285257 (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: 15285275
- Airframe hours: 880
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Janelle Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Jerry W. Dalton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1983, 93 hours before
- Airport: W09, Leesburg Municipal, runway 17, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 410 total, 150 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 9 nm away

## 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 19831109060049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831109060049A), Nov 9, 1983: Cessna 152, Leesburg, VA, Destroyed. Cowl flap came open and flapping on climbout. CFI took over. Too low. Shutdown hit utility pole. Mech failed fasten

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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