# NTSB BFO91LA021: Cessna 152, N48918, South Boston, VA, December 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1990, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: South Boston, VA
- Coordinates: 36.699317, -78.900596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6993&lon=-78.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA021

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAY IN TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION WHILE ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WERE WORSE THAN FORECAST, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather forecast - inaccurate, nws personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA AT 2,500 FT, THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. DUE TO REDUCED CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE NOTICED A DITCH IN FRONT OF HIM. STILL HOLDING FULL BACK PRESSURE ON THE YOKE, HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO FLY OVER THE DITCH. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT IMPACTED TREES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP. DURING A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE PILOT WAS TOLD THAT VFR CONDITIONS WERE FORECAST TO CONTINUE DURING HIS ANTICIPATED FLIGHT TIME. HE WAS WARNED OF A STORM APPROACHING THE AREA, BUT ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A FACTOR UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48918](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48918), registered now, S/N 15283389 (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: 15283389
- Airframe hours: 2999
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Virginia Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1990, 59 hours before
- Departed: LYH, LYNCHBURG, VA
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 36, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## 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: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 46 nm away

## Other investigations on N48918 (2)

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 WPR22LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA342), Sep 7, 2022: Cessna 152 (N48918), Salt Lake City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with a microburst during initial climb that resulted in a loss of altitude and subsequent collision with a tree.
- [NTSB NYC87LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA064), Jan 23, 1987: Cessna 152 (N48918), Simsbury, CT, 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.