# NTSB ATL89FA207: Cessna 152, N25799, Tiptonville, TN, September 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1989, 22:30 local (Sep 1, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Tiptonville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.370258, -89.470909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3703&lon=-89.4709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA207

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF.   FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:   DARKNESS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES, HIS HABIT OF MAKING SHALLOW CLIMBS AFTER TAKEOFF, HIS LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE, AND THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A NGT TAKEOFF FM AN ARPT ON LEVEL TERRAIN IN A SPARSELY POPULATED AREA.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A GROUP OF TREES ABOUT 1/3 MI FROM THE DEP END OF THE RWY & SLIGHTLY LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. IT REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 225 FT BEYOND THE TREES, THEN CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD.  AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.  THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD LAST LOGGED NIGHT FLT EXPERIENCE ABOUT 16 MONTHS EARLIER.  HE HAD OBTAINED A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FROM A CFI, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ACDNT.  THE CFI RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD DEMONSTRATED A TENDENCY TO MAKE SHALLOW CLIMBS AFTER TAKING OFF.  THE CFI, WHO WAS ACQUAINTED WITH THE PLT, EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT THE PLT HAD DEVELOPED THE TENDENCY WHEN HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN ACFT WITH POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25799](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25799-1996-08-26), registration cancelled 1996-08-26, S/N 15280791 (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: 15280791
- Airframe hours: 2497
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Davis, Jerrie W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1989, 78 hours before
- Destination: DYR, DYERSBURG, TN
- Airport: OM2, Reelfoot Lake, runway 1, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 725 total, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DYR, 28 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 19890831033239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890831033239A), Aug 31, 1989: Cessna 152, Tiptonville, TN, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Lost ground reference on dark night departure. Failed to climb struck trees on turnout. Lacked recent night time.

## Other investigations on N25799 (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 MIA78DLO71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DLO71), Aug 29, 1978: Cessna 152 (N25799), Oviedo, FL, substantial damage

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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