# NTSB ATL89LA067: Cessna 152, N69015, Theodore, AL, January 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1989, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Theodore, AL
- Coordinates: 30.539648, -88.170944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5396&lon=-88.1709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA067

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL, AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HEARD A 'SNAP' NOISE WHILE MANEUVERING AT 500 FT AGL; THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DESCEND & HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD NO ELEVATOR CONTROL. WITNESSES REPORTED HOWEVER, THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS MANEUVERING 'REAL LOW' & 'SLOW' AND THE WINGS WERE WOBBLING JUST BEFORE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CRASHED. ONE WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS MANEUVERING AT NO MORE THAN 50 FT AGL WHEN IT BEGAN TO DROP. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY AN IA MECHANIC SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR CABLES WERE INTACT, AND THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE IN THE ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69015](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69015-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 15282434, built 1978 (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: 15282434
- Airframe hours: 5747
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mobile Flight Training, Inc
- Registered owner: Boykin, Frank W II.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 6, 1988, 98 hours before
- Departed: 4R9, DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL
- Destination: BFM, MOBILE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 102 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB

## 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 19890104000179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890104000179A), Jan 4, 1989: Cessna 152, Theodore, AL, Substantial damage. Impacted nose first near his factory work sight. Blamed broken elevator cables. Cables were hand cut post accident.

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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