# NTSB FTW83LA154: Cessna 152, N6146Q, Mcallen, TX, March 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1983, 14:47 local (20:47 UTC)
- Place: Mcallen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.210889, -98.230918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2109&lon=-98.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT LANDED AT AN EN ROUTE AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING THE SECOND LEG OF A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLT. HE STATED THAT AFTER LANDING, HE TAXIED TO A HANGER IN ORDER TO REST BEFORE DEPARTURE. WHILE PREPARING TO DEPART, HE TAXIED & STOPPED SHORT OF RUNWAY 31 ON A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING WHERE HE WAITED FOR A TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. AFTER STOPPING, A TAIL WIND LIFTED THE ACFT UP ONTO ITS NOSE & RIGHT WING TIP, THEN BLEW IT OVER ON ITS BACK. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 28 GUSTING 38 KTS. THE 1455 CST WIND AT THE AIRPORT WAS REPORTED FROM 300 DEG AT 23 GUSTING 42 KTS. PERSONNEL, WHERE THE ACFT WAS OPERATED FROM, REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE APRX 7 KTS AT THE INITIAL DEPARTURE TIME & WERE FORECAST TO REMAIN THE SAME. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT MAX WINDS FOR SOLOING WAS 18 KTS, BUT THE STUDENT ELECTED TO RETURN REGARDLESS OF THE WINDS. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT BRIEFED ON SPECIFIC WIND LIMITS. HE HAD RECEIVED 40 FLT HRS OVER 17 MOS, WITH APRX 10 HRS AT THIS FBO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6146Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6146Q), registered now, S/N 15285169, built 1981 (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: 15285169
- Airframe hours: 618
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: H & R Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1982, 13 hours before
- Destination: BRO, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MFE, Miller Int'L., runway 31, 7,103 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 28 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830316008069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830316008069A), Mar 16, 1983: Cessna 152, Mcallen, TX, Substantial damage. Students aircraft was blown over by severe wind gusts while he waited for take off on a crosscountry solo flight.

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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