# NTSB CHI93LA086: Cessna 152, N68155, Pontiac, MI, February 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1993, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.770313, -82.529037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7703&lon=-82.5290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA086

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, overrun
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT. AFTER TAKEOFF HE STATED HE THOUGHT HE HAD CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND MADE ONE PATTERN CIRCUIT AND LANDED. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT DURING LANDING ROLLOUT AND HIT A SNOWBANK. WITNESSES REPORTED THE PILOT LANDED LONG AND FAST. THE AIRPLANE WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. ALL FLIGHT CONTROLS OPERATED PROPERLY, AND THE CONTROL SURFACE DEFLECTIONS WERE WITHIN THE LIMITS SPECIFIED IN THE AIRPLANE SERVICE MANUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68155 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 68155
- Airframe hours: 5291
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tradewinds Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tradewinds Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1992, 424 hours before
- Airport: PTK, Oakland-Pontiac, runway 27, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 1 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 19930202001339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930202001339A), Feb 2, 1993: Cessna 152, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast. Veered off runway into a snowbank.

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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