# NTSB ATL95LA121: Cessna 152, N5523B, Juliette, GA, June 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 1995, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Juliette, GA - Coordinates: 33.11951, -83.820503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1195&lon=-83.8205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3582 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3582/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA121 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE WATER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause) - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis AFTER COMPLETING PRACTICE COMMERCIAL PILOT MANEUVERS, THE PRIVATE PILOT AND A STUDENT PILOT PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING A PERSONAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT OVER LAKE JULIETTE IN JULIETTE, GEORGIA WHEN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AS THEY WERE FLYING OVER THE LAKE AT A LOW ALTITUDE. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN WATCHING THE PLANE FLYING VERY LOW AND GOING IN AND OUT OF COVES. THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER FIRST. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED OVER INTO THE WATER. BOTH THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURIES. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 1995, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5523B, collided with a lake, during maneuvering flight, near Juliette, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Southeastern Flight Academy under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules (VFR). There was no flight plan filed for the local, personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot or a student pilot passenger. The airplane was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, the flight had departed from Herbert Smart Airport, in Macon, Georgia, at approximately 1630. The pilot indicated that he had completed practice commercial pilot maneuvers, and was conducting a sight seeing flight, for his passenger, over Lake Juliette. The pilot stated that he descended from approximately 3,000 feet above ground level to just above tree top level. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, the standard height of trees in this area is approximately 30 feet. The pilot further stated that they made several passes over the water before the engine lost power while flying over the center of the lake. The pilot stated that he did not have time to conduct any emergency procedures prior to the aircraft colliding with the water at approximately 80 knots. When the aircraft collided with the water, it flipped over and the doors popped open. Both occupants escaped the aircraft without injuries and were picked up by fishermen in the lake. A local fisherman who witnessed the accident stated that he had been watching the plane for some time. The pilot seemed to be flying very low and going in and out of coves. He further stated that the wing of the aircraft struck the water. The aircraft then flipped over and the pilot and passenger crawled out. During the post accident investigation the aircraft engine was removed from the wreckage, and put on a test stand to be run. The magnetos were disassembled, allowed to dry, and replaced on the engine. The spark plugs, corroded from days in the lake, were cleaned by a bead blaster, and replaced in the engine. The engine started on the first try and ran satisfactorily. No evidence of malfunction was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5523B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5523B-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 15283893, 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: 15283893 - Airframe hours: 8546 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 105 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Southeastern Flight Academy - Registered owner: Gulf Leasing, Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1995, 87 hours before - Departed: MAC, MACON, GA - Destination: MAC, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 80 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 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 19950627014829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950627014829A), Jun 27, 1995: Cessna 152, Juliette, GA, Substantial damage. Wing struck the water while buzzing a lake. Aircraft flipped over. ## Other investigations on N5523B (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 ATL84LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA008), Oct 1, 1983: Cessna 152II (N5523B), Hamilton, AL, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.