# NTSB ERA12CA521: Cessna 152, N49054, Deland, FL, August 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2012, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Deland, FL - Coordinates: 29.069723, -81.280555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0697&lon=-81.2806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA521 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84756/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84756 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA521 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control on final approach in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate in an environment of thunderstorms and rapidly deteriorating weather. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Inflight upset](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); 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) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that she checked the weather before departing on a maintenance flight in the airport traffic pattern; some thunderstorms were located to the northwest. She departed and climbed to 1,000 feet above ground level, set the engine at cruise power, and completed the traffic pattern. As she entered the pattern a second time, she noticed that the storms were moving toward the airport. As the airplane turned onto the final approach, the wind increased, the airplane encountered strong turbulence, and her approach became unstable. She then initiated a go-around; however, the airplane impacted the runway and came to rest inverted off of the left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed structural damage to the airframe. Review of weather data revealed that a wind shift associated with nearby thunderstorms occurred immediately prior to the accident. The recorded wind speed about the time of the accident was 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated she checked weather before departing on a maintenance flight in the airport traffic pattern. Some weather was located to the northwest. She departed and climbed to 1,000 feet above ground level, set the engine at cruise power, and completed the first traffic pattern. She started the second pattern and noticed the weather was moving towards the airport. As the airplane turned on to final approach, the winds increased, the airplane encountered strong turbulence, and her approach became unstable. She initiated a go-around; however, the airplane impacted the runway and came to rest inverted off the left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the airframe. Review of weather data revealed a wind shift occurred immediately prior to the accident, which was associated with nearby thunderstorms. The recorded wind speed about the time of the accident was 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49054](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49054-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 15281125, built 1977 (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: 15281125 - Airframe hours: 13713 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Cloud Dancer Aviation - Registered owner: Alber David Lee Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 16, 2012, 2 hours before - Departed: DED, Deland, FL - Destination: DED, Deland, FL - Airport: DED, Deland Municipal, runway 23, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 28, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 95 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 25 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DED ## 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 20120821016919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120821016919A), Aug 21, 2012: Cessna 152, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. During attempted landing on Deland (kded) runway 23, aircraft experienced loss of control on touchdown, resulting in porpoising, nosewheel & propeller strike,… ## Other investigations on N49054 (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 FTW87LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA067), Feb 19, 1987: Cessna 152 (N49054), Plano, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84756. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Meteorology 5 - Weather Study (item 3, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology%205%20-%20Weather%20Study-Master.PDF - Statement FAA Wreckage Release Back To Registered Owner (item 4, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20FAA%20Wreckage%20Release%20Back%20To%20Registered%20Owner-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Front view of airplane inverted. Photo FAA (item 5, .PDF, 638 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right side view of airplane inverted. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Rear view of airplane inverted. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 627 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Rear%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Left side view of airplane inverted. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - View of hour meter. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20View%20of%20hour%20meter.%20Photo%20FAA-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.