# NTSB FTW83LA423: Cessna 152, N89575, Opelousas, LA, August 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1983, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Opelousas, LA
- Coordinates: 30.519472, -92.080711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5195&lon=-92.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA423
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA423

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ABORTING 3 TKOFS FROM A SHORT GRASS STRIP THE PLT DECIDED THE GRASS WAS TOO LONG. AFT MOWING THE GRASS AND AN ADDITIONAL AREA TO EXTEND THE LENGTH OF THE STRIP THE PLT TOOK OFF ALONE TO SEE IF THE LENGTH WAS SUITABLE FOR TAKOF. THE PLT THEN LNDD AND ATMPTD TKOF WITH A PAX ONBOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABV 50 FT AFT TKOF AND WHILE ATMPTG TO AVOID PWR LINES COLLIDED WITH A TREE. HE ALSO ADDED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE DELAYED HIS DEPARTURE UNTIL THE TEMP DECREASED AND ESTIMATED IT TO BE ABT 90 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89575](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89575-1993-01-06), registration cancelled 1993-01-06, S/N 15282792 (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: 15282792
- Airframe hours: 654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ramp-1 Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1983
- Departed: OPELOUSAS, LA
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 139 total, 65 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 81 °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 19830828044589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830828044589A), Aug 28, 1983: Cessna 152, Opelousas, LA, Destroyed. Unable to climb after liftoff from a short grass strip. Struck trees, crashed and burned.

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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