# NTSB FTW83LA318: Cessna 152, N6386Q, San Antonio, TX, July 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1983, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.400989, -98.45932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4010&lon=-98.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA318

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. HE TRIED VARIOUS THINGS TO RESTORE POWER WHICH INCLUDED CHANGING POSITIONS OF THE MAGNETO SWITCH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN A LAKE. THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND POSITIONED THE THE LEFT POSITION, BUT NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6386Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6386Q-1990-11-28), registration cancelled 1990-11-28, S/N 15285240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 152-8524
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stinson Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1983
- Departed: SSF, SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 54 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 18 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 19830701028159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830701028159A), Jul 1, 1983: Cessna 152, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Rough running engine on practice flight. Ditched in a lake. Mag switch on left magneto caused gradual power loss.

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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