# NTSB FTW85FA159: Cessna 152, N757LV, Bixby, OK, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1985, 18:00 local (Mar 23, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Bixby, OK
- Coordinates: 35.939533, -95.870628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9395&lon=-95.8706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A FLT SCHOOL STUDENT WORKING ON HIS INSTRUCTOR RATING MADE SEVERAL LOW AND SLOW APPROACHES TO AN OPEN FLD. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT'S NOSE PITCH UP SLIGHTLY THEN DROP. THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP DIVE. A WITNESS STATED THE APPROACHES WERE MADE DOWNWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N757LV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15279833
- Airframe hours: 3728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Air Assoc.
- Registered owner: James W. Ballen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: RVS, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 307 total, 285 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 15 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 19850322020589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850322020589A), Mar 22, 1985: Cessna 152, Bixby, OK, Destroyed. Made downwind simulated approach to a field. Nose pitched up and aircraft rolled and impacted the ground.

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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