# NTSB CHI89FA157: Cessna 152, N5292M, York, SC, August 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: York, SC
- Coordinates: 34.990364, -81.230133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9904&lon=-81.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA157

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD (TASK OVERLOAD) AND DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

PILOT WAS CONDUCTING LOW ALTITUDE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND DISAPPEAR BEHIND A TREE LINE. AIRCRAFT IMPACT GROUND IN NOSE LOW, LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PHOTOGRAPHY OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED WITH THE PILOT FLYING SOLO IN THE RIGHT SEAT WHILE DOING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A 35MM CAMERA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5292M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5292M-1991-03-06), registration cancelled 1991-03-06, S/N 15284515 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284515
- Airframe hours: 4147
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: State Aerial Farms Statistics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1989, 588 hours before
- Departed: 29J, ROCK HILL, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total, 290 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 20 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 19890803026819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890803026819A), Aug 3, 1989: Cessna 152, York, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and crashed while circling at low altitude to photograph a farm. High ambient air temperature a factor.

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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