# NTSB CHI91LA099: Cessna 152, N49485, Wonder Lake, IL, February 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1991, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Wonder Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.379962, -88.359954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3800&lon=-88.3600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA099

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. HER LACK OF FLYING EXPEREINCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING HER THIRD OF THREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS DURING HER FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. THE RUNWAY WAS 3100 FEET IN LENGTH BY 36 FEET IN WIDTH. DURING THE THIRD TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, THE AIRPLANE YAWED LEFT AND DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CROSSED A SOD CLEARWAY AND TAXIWAY, THEN COLLIDED WITH A PLOWED FIELD. WINDS IN THE AREA SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT WERE FROM THE WEST/SOUTHWEST AT 6 AND 12 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49485](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49485-2005-11-01), registration cancelled 2005-11-01, S/N 15281304, built 1978 (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: 15281304
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Galt Flying Service
- Registered owner: Galt Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Airport: 10C, Galt, runway 27, 3,100 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: UGN, 23 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 19910226003539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910226003539A), Feb 26, 1991: Cessna 152, Greenwood/Wonde, IL, Substantial damage. Solo student lost control on takeoff and veered left off 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.