# NTSB CEN10CA346: Cessna 152, N5461B, St. Charles, MO, June 25, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2010, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: St. Charles, MO - Coordinates: 38.848609, -90.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8486&lon=-90.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76453 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA346 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76453/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76453 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA346 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper takeoff procedure that led to a decreased climb rate and subsequent off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that she was conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the last touch-and-go landing, she retracted the flaps and applied full throttle. The ground roll seemed slightly longer than previous takeoffs. After liftoff, the airplane was not climbing and the pilot thought that it was developing less than full power. As the airplane was approaching power lines, the pilot felt that the airplane would not clear them so she elected to land on a field. The airplane impacted the ground during the landing and sustained substantial damage, which included a damaged left wing, a ruptured fuel tank, and a deformed fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane cockpit flap indicator was in the 20-degree position. No preexisting mechanical anomalies were noted with the airframe, engine, or engine accessories that would have precluded normal operation. According to the aircraft’s Pilot Operating Handbook, “Normal takeoffs are accomplished with wing flaps 0°- 10°. Using 10° wing flaps reduces the total distance over an obstacle by approximately 10%. Flap deflections greater than 10° are not approved for takeoff.” ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing touch and go landings on runway 09 (3,451 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) when the airplane impacted terrain during takeoff. The pilot stated that during the last takeoff, the flaps were retracted and full throttle was applied. The ground roll seemed "slightly longer" than previous takeoffs. After liftoff, the airplane was not climbing and was developing less than full power. As the airplane was approaching power lines, the pilot felt that the airplane would not clear them so she elected to land on a field. The airplane impacted the ground during the landing and sustained substantial damage, which included a damaged left wing, a ruptured fuel tank, and a deformed fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane cockpit flap indicator was in the 20 degree position. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airframe, engine, and engine accessories that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5461B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5461B-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 15283876, built 1979 (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: 55991 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: St Charles Flying Service - Registered owner: Doug Koch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3SQ, St. Charles, MO - Destination: 3SQ, St. Charles, MO - Airport: 3SQ, St Charles Airport, runway 09, 3,451 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 536 total, 376 in this make and model, 377 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: STL, 9 nm away ## 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 20100625042299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100625042299A), Jun 25, 2010: Cessna 152, St. Charles, MO, Substantial damage. On June 25, 2010 the pilot and a passenger (also a pilot but not actively flying) were conducting personal flight operations at St. Charles municipal airport… ## Other investigations on N5461B (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 MKC80FER12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FER12), Nov 24, 1979: Cessna 152 (N5461B), Minneapolis, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76453. 743 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.