# NTSB ERA09CA306: Cessna 152, N49396, Lumberton, NJ, May 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2009, 14:01 local (18:01 UTC) - Place: Lumberton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.934444, -74.80722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9344&lon=-74.8072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA306 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73898/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73898 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA306 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of adequate airspeed and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a soft-field takeoff. He stated that the winds were variable at 3 knots. He lowered 10 degrees of wing flaps, applied full back pressure on the control column, and applied full engine power. The airplane became airborne, went out of ground effect, and then stalled. The airplane spun to the left, descended, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported that he had no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings and to the engine firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing a soft field takeoff. He stated the winds were variable at 3 knots. He lowered 10 degrees of wing flaps, applied full back pressure on the control column, and applied full engine power. The airplane became airborne, went out of ground effect, and stalled. The airplane spun to the left, descended, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported he had no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings, and to the engine firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49396](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49396-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 15283453, built 1979 (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: 15283453 - Airframe hours: 6043 - Engines: Lycoming o-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cave Flight School, LLC - Registered owner: Cave Flight School, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 2009, 32 hours before - Departed: N14, Lumberton, NJ - Destination: N14, Lumberton, NJ - Airport: N14, Flying W Airport, runway 01, 3,496 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 55 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VAY, 5 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 20090525009689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090525009689A), May 25, 2009: Cessna 152, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilots stated the takeoff was normal until the aircraft was just out of ground effect. When out of ground effect, he could no longer control the… ## Other investigations on N49396 (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 BFO86LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA003), Oct 12, 1985: Cessna 152 (N49396), Stevensville, MD, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73898. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 702 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Both Wings and Engine. (item 4, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Both%20Wings%20and%20Engine.-Master.PDF 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.