# NTSB CHI90LA033: Cessna 152, N5115Q, Eau Claire, WI, November 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1989, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Eau Claire, WI
- Location: 44.8658° N, 91.4843° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHIPPEWA VALLEY RGNL (EAU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8658&lon=-91.4843&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA033

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE CROSSWIND, THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, HIS DIVERSION OF TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE OTHER AIRCRAFT, AND THE RUNWAY LIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5115Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5115Q-2003-09-03), registration cancelled 2003-09-03, S/N 15285077, built 1981 (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: 15285077
- Airframe hours: 3560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gibson Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: EAU
- Destination: EAU
- Airport: EAU, Eau Claire County, runway 22, 7,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU

## 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 19891126047259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891126047259A), Nov 26, 1989: Cessna 152, Eau Claire, WI, Substantial damage. Lost control on adding power for touch and go,went off runway,hit taxiway light and dragged a wing on 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.

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