# NTSB BFO91LA019: Cessna 152, N68243, Mitchellville, MD, December 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1990, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Mitchellville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.950599, -76.730506 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9506&lon=-76.7305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA019

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT(S) AND IN-FLIGHT OPENING OF THE DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - door - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT WERE PRACTICING LANDINGS, WHEN THE STUDENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND.  DURING THE GO-AROUND, THE STUDENT'S DOOR CAME OPEN. ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR, THE STUDENT PANICKED AND TURNED THE CONTROL WHEEL TO THE LEFT, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN LEFT AND TOUCH DOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  SUBSEQUENLTY, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK VASI LIGHTS AND A PARKED AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68243](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68243-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 15282206, built 1978 (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: 15282206
- Airframe hours: 7398
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Freeway Airport, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 13, 1990, 70 hours before
- Airport: W00, Freeway, runway 32, 2,400 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 900 total, 600 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA

## 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 19901207053339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901207053339A), Dec 7, 1990: Cessna 152, Mitchellville, MD, Substantial damage. On touch and go door came open. Student panicked turned yoke left. Wheel touched runway edge. Hit parked aircraft v

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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