# NTSB ATL86FKG02: Cessna 152, N49446, Pell City, AL, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1985, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Pell City, AL
- Coordinates: 33.499256, -86.339859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4993&lon=-86.3399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FKG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FKG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER FOLLOWING A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING A X-WIND LANDING. THE STUDENT PLT STATED HE CRABBED THE ACFT INTOTHE WIND TO COMPENSATE FOR THE X-WIND DURING THE APCH. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN STILL IN THE CRABBED POSITION AND TRAVELED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A TETRAHEDRON AND THE NOSE GEAR CONTACTED A DITCH RESULTING IN THE ACFT NOSING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49446 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281273
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Harmon, doing business as Birmingham Flying Club
- Registered owner: Leon S. Spaeth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PLR, Pell City, runway 2, 4,200 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM

## 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 19851006049099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851006049099A), Oct 6, 1985: Cessna 152, Pell City, AL, Substantial damage. All of crab angle not removed before touchdown. Ran off side of runway, hit tetrahedron, ditch and flipped over.

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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