# NTSB CHI89LA085: Cessna 152, N25054, Flint, MI, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Flint, MI
- Coordinates: 42.969947, -83.720314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9699&lon=-83.7203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES AND HIS PREMATURE DECISION TO INITIATE AN EMERGENCY PROCEDURE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND HIS SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. THE STUDENT ELECTED TO SELECT 'IDLE-SHUTOFF' AND CONDUCT AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN A CULTIVATED FIELD, THE NOSEWHEEL DUG INTO SOFT DIRT AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, HOWEVER THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL OPERATION. SURFACE TEMPERATURE FIVE MILES AWAY, AND THIRTY THREE MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WAS 48 DEGREES F AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS CALCULATED AS 54% VISIBLE MOISTURE IN THE FORM OF CLOUDS, DESCRIBED AS 5,000 FEET SCATTERED AND 8,000 FEET OVERCAST, AS OBSERVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25054](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25054-2010-11-04), registration cancelled 2010-11-04, S/N 15280518, built 1977 (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: 15280518
- Airframe hours: 2146
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Amer. Christian Aviation Inst.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 1989, 37 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 36 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 5 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 19890506010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506010929A), May 6, 1989: Cessna 152, Flint, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit student landed the aircraft in a plowed field and it nosed over. Had failed to timely use carb heat.

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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