# NTSB ATL91LA098: Cessna 152, N93002, Knightdale, NC, May 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1991, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Knightdale, NC
- Coordinates: 35.790191, -78.480842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7902&lon=-78.4808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA098

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN DISCREPANCY AND THE OPERATOR'S PREVIOUS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/INSPECTION OF THE PITOT/STATIC SYSTEM WERE FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - pitot/static system - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - disabled (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
  - aircraft protective covering - not used, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - fence
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL FOR A SOLO FLIGHT, THE STUDENT NOTED THAT THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR DID NOT MOVE.  HE STOPPED THE AIRPLANE, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE & EXAMINED THE PITOT TUBE & STATIC PORT. THEY DID NOT APPEAR TO BE BLOCKED.  A SECOND TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED.  HALFWAY DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR SHOWED 50 KTS, THEN DECREASED.  WHILE TRYING TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, THE ACFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HIT A DITCH & A FENCE.  A PREVIOUS PILOT HAD THE SAME DISCREPANCY EARLIER IN THE DAY.  AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT REMOVED DIRT FROM THE PITOT TUBE WITH A WIRE.  NO MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE WAS DONE & A WRITTEN DISCREPANCY WAS NOT MADE.  THE OPERATOR/OWNER DID NOT USE PITOT COVERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93002](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93002), registered now, S/N 15285374, built 1981 (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: 15285374
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Raleigh East Airport
- Registered owner: Renne Associate
- Airport: W17, Raleigh East, runway 19, 3,000 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 18 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 19910523018399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910523018399A), May 23, 1991: Cessna 152, Knightdale, NC, Substantial damage. Air speed pitot system fouled by insects. Student aborted takeoff late. Ran off end.

## Other investigations on N93002 (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 ATL04LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA058), Dec 20, 2003: Cessna 152 (N93002), Louisburg, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: Other maintenance personnel's inadequate engine overhaul that resulted in engine case fretting and engine oil starvation.

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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