# NTSB BFO85FA061: Cessna 152, N24787, Mechanicsville, MD, July 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1985, 16:56 local (20:56 UTC)
- Place: Mechanicsville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.429889, -76.729156 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4299&lon=-76.7292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING SEVERAL LOW ALTITUDE PASSES OVER THE FAMILY BUSINESS, THE STUDENT PILOT EXTENDED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND PULLED THE POWER BACK TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE IN ORDER TO LENGTHEN HIS VIEWING TIME. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AT BETWEEN 75-100 FEET OF ALTITUDE, THE NOSE PITCHED UPWARD AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE PILOT FELT SURE THAT NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE INVOLVED, SINCE THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING NORMALLY PRIOR TO THE STALL. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT AN APPROXIMATE 65 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24787](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24787-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 15280379 (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: 15280379
- Airframe hours: 3194
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Leslie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1985, 54 hours before
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NUI, 18 nm away

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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