# NTSB ATL97LA119: Cessna 152, N757WL, Macon, GA, August 8, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1997, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Macon, GA - Coordinates: 32.799064, -83.619804 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7991&lon=-83.6198&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 April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA119 ## Probable cause The loss of control of the airplane due to the pilot's improperly planned approach and failure to maintain adequate airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis This was a training flight for crosswind takeoffs and landings. On the last landing, the airplane was approaching high and fast. The pilot believed there was insufficient remaining runway to land and initiated a go-around. While attempting the go-around, the airplane stalled and, according to a witness, collided with power lines and went straight into the ground. According to the pilot, the speed of the airplane was 50 to 55 knots. According to the pilot's operating handbook for the Cessna 152, the stall speed in the landing configuration is 35 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1997, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N757WL, collided with the ground after a go-around at the Herbert Smart Airport, Macon, Georgia. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial flight instructor sustained minor injuries, the student sustained no injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed the Herbert Smart Airport about 1430. According to the FAA, the instructor and student were conducting crosswind landings on runway 33. The student was at the controls, attempting a landing on runway 33. The instructor reported that the approach was high and fast. The instructor then took over the controls to conduct a go-around. According to the FAA, in the attempt to climb and retract the flaps, the airplane stalled and descended into a residential area. According to the pilot, they had done four take-off and landings that day before the accident occurred. When approaching on final approach, the pilot "knew we didn't have enough runway to land" and initiated a go-around. According to the pilot, the flaps were at 30 degrees. He added power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. He estimated the airspeed was 50 to 55 knots. The pilot stated during the go-around, "the airplane was not able to climb enough due to the strong crosswind". He decided to "pitch up to pass over the trees" and "the airplane stalled and [they] hit the ground". The pilot's operating handbook for the Cessna 152 states the stall speed with flaps at 30 degrees is 35 knots. A witness stated he saw the airplane come over the trees very low with the left wing down. The left wing struck a power line, and the airplane went straight into the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage, with the wing spars broken, the fuselage bent, and the firewall crushed. No mechanical malfunction was reported by the instructor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N757WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757WL-1998-01-15), registration cancelled 1998-01-15, S/N 15280061 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15280061 - Airframe hours: 6301 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Southeastern School Of Aero. - Registered owner: Njb Enterprises, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: MAC - Airport: MAC, Herbert Smart Downtown, runway 33, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 506 total, 330 in this make and model, 446 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MAC, 1 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 19970808021589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970808021589A), Aug 8, 1997: Cessna 152, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Performing pattern work, on departure appeared to stall, went down in residential area. (-23) on 08/08/97 at approximately 1500 hours, ivan ljutek a CFI and… 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.