# NTSB DEN89LA073: Cessna 152, N89038, Grand Forks, ND, February 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1989, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Coordinates: 47.919086, -97.070915 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9191&lon=-97.0709&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, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA073

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CORRECT A GROUND LOOP SWERVE. A LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING 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
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO. AFTER LANDING ON RWY 26, A 4,300 X 100 FT CONCRETE RWY, THE PLT ADDED POWER AND ALLOWED THE ACFT TO TURN LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE. RIGHT RUDDER WAS APPLIED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE LEFT TURN. THE ACFT CONTACTED A SNOW BANK AND GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89038](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89038), registered now, S/N 15282606, 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: 15282606
- Airframe hours: 3938
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: University Of North Dakota
- Registered owner: Bobalouie Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 14, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: GFK
- Destination: GFK
- Airport: GFK, Grand Forks, runway 26, 4,300 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9 total, 9 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890206003199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890206003199A), Feb 6, 1989: Cessna 152, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on power application for touch and go. Veered into a snowbank. Was first solo flight.

## Other investigations on N89038 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI90LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA271), Sep 23, 1990: Cessna 152 (N89038), Lakeville, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND ATTEMPTING TO FORCE THE AIRPLANE ONTO THE 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.

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