# NTSB CHI84FA119: Cessna 152-II, N4972H, Manhattan, IL, February 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1984, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Manhattan, IL
- Coordinates: 41.419815, -87.980072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4198&lon=-87.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED ENTERING A SPIN FROM A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE FROM WHICH IT FAILED TO RECOVER. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS SEEN WAVING TO HIS FAMILY AS THE ACFT CIRCLED IN THE VICINITY OF HIS PARENT'S HOME. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4972H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152-II
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284051
- Airframe hours: 16867
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frankfort Aviation Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1984, 1 hours before
- Departed: C18, FRANKFORT, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 16; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 35 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 19840226004619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840226004619A), Feb 26, 1984: Cessna 152, Manhattan, IL, Destroyed. Stalled the aircraft during a steep turn over his residence while waving to family. Aircraft spun to the ground.

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.
