# NTSB BFO87DIG01: Cessna 152C, N25846, Gaithersburg, MD, February 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1987, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170001, -77.180343 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1700&lon=-77.1803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DIG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DIG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE TAKING OFF ON RWY 32, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT & COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK BEFORE THE STUDENT PLT COULD REGAIN CONTROL. THE STUDENT RPRTD THE WINDS WERE FROM 280 DEG AT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25846](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25846-2007-12-05), registration cancelled 2007-12-05, S/N 15280815, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152C
- 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: 15280815
- Airframe hours: 3501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Flight Ltd.
- Registered owner: Michael Alverado
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1986, 31 hours before
- Destination: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 32, 4,235 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 35 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870210002499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870210002499A), Feb 10, 1987: Cessna 152, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered into a snowbank during takeoff roll. Student pilot.

## Other investigations on N25846 (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 NYC01LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA157), Jun 30, 2001: Cessna 152 (N25846), Warrenton, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane's encounter with a deer during a touch and go.

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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