# NTSB ATL87LA156: Cessna C-152, N46411, Bunn, NC, June 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1987, 21:00 local (Jun 2, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Bunn, NC
- Coordinates: 35.949123, -78.250663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9491&lon=-78.2507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - disabled
  - electrical system - inoperative
  - instrument light(s) - inoperative
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LDG IN A SOFT, DIRT FIELD. THE PLT AND A MECHANIC HAD BEEN FERRYING THE AIRPLANE BACK TO ITS BASE AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER AND BATTERY SOLENOIDS, AND THE BATTERY. THE PRE-FLT RUN-UP HAD REVEALED NO PROBLEMS AND THE AMMETER HAD INDICATED A 'FULL CHARGE'. ACCORDING TO THE PLT. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN TO DIM AND THE AIRPLANE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE PLT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY UNABLE TO LOCATE THE DESTINATION AIRPORT OR AN ALTERNATE; HE THEN BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AND ELECTED TO MAKE THE PRECAUTIONARY LDG. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BY THE FAA REVEALED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED INTERNALLY AND THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DISCHARGED. THE INSPECTOR ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE ALTERNATOR 60 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS 'POPPED'. THE PLT REPORTED HAVING APPROX 5 HRS TOTAL NIGHT FLT EXPERIENCE, APPROX 1 OF WHICH WAS OBTAINED IN THE LAST 90 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46411](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46411-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 15283044, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283044
- Airframe hours: 2005
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: D & H Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 1986, 100 hours before
- Departed: SOP, SOUTHERN PINES, NC
- Destination: W17, KNIGHTDALE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 124 total, 85 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870601070769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870601070769A), Jun 1, 1987: Cessna 152, Bunn, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over during a night precautionary landing. The pilot elected to fly after alternator failure.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.