# NTSB ATL87LA059: Cessna 152, N757XP, Columbia, SC, January 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1987, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Location: 33.9705° N, 80.9952° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JIM HAMILTON L B OWENS (CUB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9705&lon=-80.9952&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - pull-up - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS UNABLE TO RECALL ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACDT. A PLT/A&P OBSERVING THE T.O. STATED THAT THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AND CLIMBED TO 50-60 FT. WHEN A FLOCK OF BLACK BIRDS FLEW UP INTO THE PATH OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT PITCHEDUP, YAWED SLIGHTLY, TURNED ABOUT ITS VERTICAL AXIS AND DROPPED INTO A DITCH. ANOTHER WITNESS DESCRIBED THE FINAL MANEUVER AS ABOUT 3/4 TURN PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. THE STUDENT PLT HAD A TOTAL OF 5 HRS. SOLO AND 46 HRS TOTAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757XP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757XP-1989-05-11), registration cancelled 1989-05-11, S/N 15280088 (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: 15280088
- Airframe hours: 4369
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Midland Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Midlands Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 9, 1987, 9 hours before
- Airport: CUB, Owens Downtown, runway 31, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 35 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 5 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 19870113000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870113000389A), Jan 13, 1987: Cessna 152, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. The aircraft spun into the ground during landing practice. The solo student was attempting to avoid a flock of birds

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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