# NTSB CHI90LA095: Cessna 152, N48690, Alpena, MI, March 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1990, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Alpena, MI
- Coordinates: 45.070178, -83.430938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0702&lon=-83.4309&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 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA095

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL; THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED A PLOWED RIDGE OF SNOW AND ICE. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 32.2 HOURS (ALL IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING 1.4  HOURS OF SOLO FLIGHT TIME).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48690](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48690), registered now, S/N 15280929, 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: 15280929
- Airframe hours: 3675
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phelps Collins Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 25, 1990, 50 hours before
- Departed: APN, ALPENA, MI
- Destination: APN, ALPENA, MI
- Airport: APN, Phelps Collins, runway 19, 9,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APN

## 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 19900307003479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900307003479A), Mar 7, 1990: Cessna 152, Alpena, MI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Struck snowbank edge of runway.

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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