# NTSB ATL92LA082: Cessna 152, N4978P, Monroe, NC, April 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1992, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, NC
- Coordinates: 35.070255, -80.519927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0703&lon=-80.5199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA082

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING CLIMBOUT WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. A FACTOR WAS REPORTED DOWNDRAFTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHIFT/DOWNDRAFT DURING CLIMBOUT. FEARING  THAT HE COULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE INITIATED A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED IN A NEARBY FIELD. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4978P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284870
- Airframe hours: 1015
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edwards, Rex W.
- Registered owner: Edwards, Rex W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 15 hours before
- Destination: 28A, INDIAN TRAIL, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 292 total, 262 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 20 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 19920419010399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920419010399A), Apr 19, 1992: Cessna 152, Monroe, NC, Substantial damage. Stalled in a climbing turnout trying to clear trees at end of farm strip. Blamed windshear. Turn was downwind.

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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