# NTSB CHI90LA138: Cessna 152, N4754B, Bad Axe, MI, May 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bad Axe, MI
- Coordinates: 43.800388, -82.990112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8004&lon=-82.9901&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 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA138

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WITH SUFFICIENT RUNWAY TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT IS A LACK OF TOTAL FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - berm
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

PILOT ATTEMPTED SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM WET GRASS STRIP. AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND SETTLED BACK TO RUNWAY. PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT TAKEOFF. AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SLIDE ON WET GRASS WHEN PILOT APPLIED BRAKES. PILOT ADDED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET AIRBORNE AGAIN AND STRUCK ROADWAY BERM OFF DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY. AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER INTO DITCH ON OTHER SIDE OF RUNWAY. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT. NO INJURIES TO PILOT OR PASSENGER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4754B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4754B-1991-02-19), registration cancelled 1991-02-19, S/N 15283617 (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: 15283617
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas Alston
- Registered owner: Alan W. Engler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1989
- Airport: NONE, Engler Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 81 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 52 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 19900528017579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900528017579A), May 28, 1990: Cessna 152, Bad Axe, MI, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff late,slid on wet grass. Unable to stop on runway. Added power to clear ditch. Hit same. Nosed over.

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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