# NTSB ATL87LA213: Cessna 152, N4649M, Middlefield, OH, July 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1987, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Middlefield, OH
- Coordinates: 41.450775, -81.069709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4508&lon=-81.0697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA213

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage,seat - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - disengaged (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - slipped (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT'S SEAT SLID BACK DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, FOLLOWING A TOUCH-AND-GO LDG. THE STUDENT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE SEAT ASSY BY A MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE SEAT LATCH ASSY TENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN. THE MECHANIC NOTED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE LATCH PIN OR THE SEAT TRACK THAT IT ENGAGES. THE PIN IS ATTACHED TO A HANDLE OPERATED BY THE PLT. DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE LOWERS THE PIN INTO ONE OF THE SEAT TRACK HOLES AND SECURES THE SEAT IN PLACE. THE SPRING ACTS TO ASSIST THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE AND PIN. THE CESSNA 152 PLT OPER HANDBOOK STATES THAT THE PLT SHOULD CONFIRM THAT THE SEAT IS LOCKED IN PLACE AFTER RELEASING THE HANDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4649M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4649M), registered now, S/N 15284474, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 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: 15284474
- Airframe hours: 2025
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dyann Davison
- Registered owner: T & G Flying Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: CGF, CLEVELAND, OH
- Airport: 7G8, Geauga County, runway 28, 3,509 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 35 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870715034809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870715034809A), Jul 15, 1987: Cessna 152, Middlefield, OH, Substantial damage. Pilots seat slid backwards on a touch and go. Lost control and overturned off runway. Pilot failed to check latch.

## Other investigations on N4649M (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC05CA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA050), Feb 5, 2005: Cessna 152 (N4649M), Kelleys Island, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during landing.

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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