# NTSB ATL87LA018: Cessna 152, N6617L, Lexington, NC, November 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, NC
- Location: 35.7972° N, 80.2742° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lexington, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7972&lon=-80.2742&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY LANDING TO A FIELD TO A 5 HOUR PRE-SOLO STUDENT PILOT. DURING RECOVERY THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTEDLY AFFECTED BY A DOWNDRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH A WIRE. THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING POWER AND WAS FORCED TO THE COLLIDE WITH THE GROUND. LOCAL SURFACE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE RECORDED TO BE 15 KNOTS WITH 28 KNOT GUSTS. THERE WERE NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL OR STRUCTURAL DESCREPANCIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6617L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6617L-1989-09-12), registration cancelled 1989-09-12, S/N 15284466 (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: 15228446
- Airframe hours: 2007
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Smith Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1986, 44 hours before
- Departed: EXX, LEXINGTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 580 total, 250 in this make and model, 451 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 25 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 19861109054099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861109054099A), Nov 9, 1986: Cessna 152, Lexington, NC, Destroyed. The aircraft encountered a downdraft and struck a wire while simulating a forced landing. Impacted in an open field

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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