# NTSB CHI92FA282: Cessna 152, N4591P, Ottawa, IL, September 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1992, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Ottawa, IL
- Coordinates: 41.349727, -88.830352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3497&lon=-88.8304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA282

## Probable cause

PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN A PROPER AIRSPEED WHICH LED TO AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHERE THE PILOT COULD NOT PERFORM A RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,ignition points - burned
  - ignition system,ignition harness - failure,partial
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,manufacturer, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TURNING AS IF TO RETURN FOR LANDING. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING IT MANEUVERING TO LINE UP FOR A LANDING ON THE RUNWAY OPPOSITE ITS TAKEOFF RUNWAY. THE WITNESS STATED HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE WINGS LEVEL AND MOVING SIDEWAYS. THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LANDING FLAPS WERE FULLY EXTENDED. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN FAA-APPROVED SHORT TAKEOFF OR LANDING (STOL) WING MODIFICATION. THE HEIGHT OF THE WING FLOW FENCES WERE FOUND TO BE INCORRECT ACCORDING TO THE STC DRAWINGS. AN FAA TEST PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD REQUIRED THAT THE FLOW FENCES BE LOWERED DUE TO AERODYNAMIC INSTABILITIES WITH FENCES TOO HIGH. OTHER SIMILAR AIRPLANES WERE FOUND WITH THE WING FLOW FENCES TOO HIGH. INVESTIGATION INTO THE PILOT'S FLYING HABITS REVEALED THAT HE OFTEN PERFORMED WING'S LEVEL RUDDER TURNS. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO REVEALED A PARTIAL MAGNETO FAILURE WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4591P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4591P-1996-12-04), registration cancelled 1996-12-04, S/N 15284775 (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: 15284775
- Airframe hours: 4207
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Legends, R.E. & J.K. Brown
- Registered owner: Legends, R.E. & J.K. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1992, 18 hours before
- Departed: C13
- Destination: STL, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: C13, Ottawa, runway 5, 3,125 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,876 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,751 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 34 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 19920920037739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920920037739A), Sep 20, 1992: Cessna 152, Ottawa, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and spun in during skidding rudder turn to return to land. Stol kit induced wing stall. Left mag worn brush

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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