# NTSB ATL92LA044: Cessna 152, N89071, Macon, GA, February 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1992, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Macon, GA
- Coordinates: 32.800605, -83.690765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8006&lon=-83.6908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA044

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ATTEMPT A PRECAUTIONARY OFF AIRPORT LANDING WHEN NO EMERGENCY EXISTED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG AND LOW CEILINGS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING INSTRUMENT TRAINING IN THE LOCAL AREA, HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE APPROACH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO THE LOW CEILINGS AND FOG IN THE AREA. HE ELECTED TO PROCEED TO HIS ALTERNATE AIRPORT AND WAS EXECUTING AN APPROACH INTO THE AIRPORT, WHEN HE OBSERVED A FIELD BELOW THE AIRCRAFT. HE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A LANDING IN THE FIELD BECAUSE HE DID NOT BELIEVE THE APPROACH INTO THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL DUE TO THE LOW CEILINGS AND FOG. WHEN ASKED BY THE FAA INSPECTOR WHY HE ATTEMPTED THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING WHEN NO EMERGENCY EXISTED, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT REPLIED 'HE DID NOT KNOW'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89071](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89071), registered now, S/N 15282617, 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: 15282617
- Airframe hours: 5313
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Register Aviation
- Registered owner: Register Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1991, 54 hours before
- Departed: 54A, PERRY, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MCN, Lewis B. Wilson, runway 5, 6,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 505 total, 186 in this make and model, 382 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 2 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 19920213002929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920213002929A), Feb 13, 1992: Cessna 152, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Destination and alternate airport below minimums. Elected to land in soft field. Nosed over. Two hours fuel in tank

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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