# NTSB CHI89LA041: Cessna 152II, N714XV, Grand Rapids, MI, December 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1988, 15:17 local (20:17 UTC)
- Place: Grand Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 42.870567, -85.619369 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8706&lon=-85.6194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA041

## Probable cause

PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual separation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - runway
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM A PRECEDING BOEING 727. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND IT STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714XV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714XV-1990-04-30), registration cancelled 1990-04-30, S/N 15279522 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152II
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 152-79522
- Airframe hours: 4844
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2L 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Amr Services, Inc
- Registered owner: Northern Air Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 31, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Airport: GRR, Kent County Int'L, runway 26L, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 10 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR

## 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 19881231057139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881231057139A), Dec 31, 1988: Cessna 152, Grand Rapids, MI, Destroyed. Following 727 too close on landing upset the 150 on short final caused a nose over. Student misunderstood tower.

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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