# NTSB ATL93LA144: Cessna 152, N4921H, Cleveland, TN, August 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1993, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, TN
- Coordinates: 35.169925, -84.859436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1699&lon=-84.8594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE TAXIING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE BRAKES HAD GONE OUT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IT SKIDDED OFF THE  RUNUP PAD AND FLIPPED INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED, FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1993, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N4921H, ran off a runup pad and down an embankment at Hardwick Field, Cleveland, Tennessee. The instructional flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was taxiing for takeoff when the accident occurred.

According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was taxiing the airplane when he reported a loss of brake pressure. The flight instructor took  control of the airplane and confirmed that brake pressure was lost. The airplane continued rolling and came to rest inverted at the bottom the embankment. Subsequent recovery and examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem with the braking system. The brakes were functionally checked once the airplane was recovered to the taxiway. There were no other reports of braking problems before this accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4921H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4921H-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 15284021, built 1979 (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: 15284021
- Airframe hours: 6388
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: C & G Aircraft Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1993, 86 hours before
- Airport: HDI, Hardwick Field, runway 3, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 770 total, 388 in this make and model, 671 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 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 19930818029729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930818029729A), Aug 18, 1993: Cessna 152, Cleveland, TN, Substantial damage. During taxi ran off taxiway. CFI took over but aircraft went over embankment. Nosed over. Blamed brakes unverified.

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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