# NTSB CHI89FA151: Cessna A152, N7610A, Oshkosh, WI, July 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1989, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Location: 43.9844° N, 88.5570° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WITTMAN RGNL (OSH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9844&lon=-88.5570&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA151

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT, AND POOR EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER DUE TO SELF INDUCED PRESSURE AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, other institution (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE ANNUAL EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION CONVENTION AIRSHOW, THE PILOT EXECUTED AN INTENTIONAL SNAP ROLL IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. HE LOST VISUAL REFERENCE OUTSIDE THE AICRAFT DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY FROM SMOKE, HAZE, AND RAIN. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7610A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7610A), registered now, S/N A1520738 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A152
- Registry model: [Cessna A152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a152) (registry code 2071836) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1520738
- Airframe hours: 4269
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mccombs, Clair A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Field, runway 36, 800 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH

## 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 19890729025639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890729025639A), Jul 29, 1989: Cessna A152, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing after snap roll on takeoff. Cartwheeled and crashed. Light rain and fog were factors and pilot error

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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