# NTSB BFO91LA083: Cessna 152U, N24509, Burnt Chimney, VA, September 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1991, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Burnt Chimney, VA
- Coordinates: 37.079483, -79.900985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0795&lon=-79.9010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA083

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE UPHILL RUNWAY AND OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM A 1800 FT UPHILL RUNWAY. FOLLOWING LIFT OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES IN HIS DEPARTURE PATH. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HE EVER DEPARTED FROM A SHORT GRASS STRIP. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED WITHIN WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24509](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24509-1991-12-09), registration cancelled 1991-12-09, S/N 15280297 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152U
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280297
- Airframe hours: 5890
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hanover Aviation Company
- Registered owner: Hanover Aviation Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1991, 88 hours before
- Destination: BCB, BLACKSBURG, VA
- Airport: 70VA, Burnt Chimney, runway 6, 1,800 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 73 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910914039939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910914039939A), Sep 14, 1991: Cessna 152, Burnt Chimney, VA, Substantial damage. Took off uphill on short grass strip,unable to clear rising terrain mushed into trees. One way strip due to incline

## Other investigations on N24509 (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 NYC86LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA029), Nov 2, 1985: Cessna 152 (N24509), Bloomsburg, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW82DPM04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DPM04), Oct 8, 1981: Cessna 152 (N24509), Tulsa, OK, 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.

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