# NTSB ATL88LA014: Cessna 152, N757AD, Murfreesboro, NC, October 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1987, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, NC
- Coordinates: 36.44009, -77.089981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4401&lon=-77.0900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT BECAME LOST ON THE RETURN LEG OF HIS 1ST SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLT. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG IN A PLOWED FIELD AFTER OBSERVING THE ACFT FUEL GAUGES INDICATING NEAR EMPTY. THE ACFT NOSEWHEEL SANK INTO SOFT DIRT DURING ROLLOUT AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. TOTAL ELAPSED FLT TIME SINCE BEGINNING THE FLT WITH FULL FUEL TANKS WAS REPORTEDLY 2.6 HRS. THE CESSNA 152 POH INDICATES THAT THE ACFT SHOULD HAVE HAD AN EXPECTED ENDURANCE IN EXCESS OF 3 HRS UNDER EXISTING CONDITIONS. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED APPROX 10 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757AD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N757AD), registered now, S/N 15279578, built 1977 (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: 15279578
- Airframe hours: 2635
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry L. Joyner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1987, 99 hours before
- Departed: W78, SOUTH BOSTON, VA
- Destination: ASJ, AHOSKIE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19871017059989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871017059989A), Oct 17, 1987: Cessna 152, Murfreesboro, NC, Substantial damage. Student lost. Low fuel. Precautionary landing in a soft dirt field. Nosed over on landing rollout.

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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