# NTSB ATL85FA106: Cessna 152, N757FP, Warsaw, NC, March 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1985, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Warsaw, NC
- Coordinates: 34.989311, -78.179573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9893&lon=-78.1796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA106

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - inaccurate, nws personnel (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

LOW TIME, NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DELAYED DEPARTURE BECAUSE OF UNEXPECTED DETERIORATION OF WEATHER. FSS BRIEFER ADVISED WX WOULD IMPROVE, BETTER TOWARD DESTINATION ARPT. WX CONDITIONS CONTINUED TO WORSEN AFTER BRIEFING, WORSE THAN FCST. PLT DEPARTED 3 HRS AFTER BRIEFING WITHOUT GETTING UPDATE. MADE LEFT 180 DEGREE TURN AFTER TKOF, DEPARTED ARPT TO THE SW. OBSERVED TURNING RT TO WEST, CONTINUED TO NORTH BEFORE STRIKING TREES IN HIGH SPEED. WITNESSES AT ARPT AND NEAR ACCIDENT SITE DESCRIBED 100-300 FT CEILING, VISIBILITY 1 MILE OR LESS WITH DRIZZLE AND FOG. PLT HAD NO ACTUAL INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N757FP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15279707
- Airframe hours: 1238
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lumberton Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 8, 1985, 35 hours before
- Departed: DPL, KENANSVILLE, NC
- Destination: LBT, LUMBERTON, NC
- Airport: DPL, P.B. Raiford, runway 4, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 77 total, 57 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F

## 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 19850301004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850301004979A), Mar 1, 1985: Cessna 152, Warsaw, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft collided with trees shortly after takeoff. Special weather observation after pilot briefing forecast IFR.

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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