# NTSB CHI91LA171: Cessna 152, N5299B, Hillsdale, MI, May 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1991, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Hillsdale, MI
- Coordinates: 41.919647, -84.629013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9196&lon=-84.6290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA171

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.  A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S LACK TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN SOFT TERRAIN AFTER LOSING CONTROL AND LEAVING THE RUNWAY DURING A TAKEOFF ROLL. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A ONE HOUR PERIOD OF INSTRUCTION WITH A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND HAD BEEN RELEASED FOR HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING HIS FIRST SOLO TAKEOFF.  ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PILOT'S STATEMENT, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT FOR A 'TAILWIND COMING FROM THE SOUTH.'  HE WAS STILL TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE TAKEOFF ROLL WHEN THE AIRPLANE WENT IN TO A  PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5299B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283831
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hillsdale Aero Inc.
- Airport: Y85, Hillsdale Muni., runway 27, 3,802 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 11 total, 11 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910528018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910528018349A), May 28, 1991: Cessna 152, Hillsdale, MI, Substantial damage. Student on first solo lost directional control. Left the runway into plowed ground and 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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