# NTSB ATL91LA115: Cessna 152, N25362, Murfreesboro, TN, June 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1991, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, TN
- Coordinates: 35.84988, -86.389183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8499&lon=-86.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA115

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT. HE PERFORMED TWO STOP-AND-GO LANDINGS WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED. ON HIS THIRD LANDING, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE LANDING ROLL. HE WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE, AND IT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, RESULTING IN THE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. HE HAD LOGGED ONLY 10 HOURS TOTAL TIME, WITH 7 HOURS IN THE CESSNA 152.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25362](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25362), registered now, S/N 15280616, 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: 15280616
- Airframe hours: 5563
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: International Flight Center
- Registered owner: Cobb, J. Mark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1991, 58 hours before
- Airport: MBT, Murfreesboro Municipal, runway 36, 3,900 × 100 ft, asphalt

## 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: 10 total, 7 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 22 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 19910618022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910618022699A), Jun 18, 1991: Cessna 152, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. On third landing during first solo student lost control. Veered off runway into ditch.

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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