# NTSB FTW85FA176: Cessna 152, N49831, Arlington, TX, April 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1985, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Coordinates: 32.719306, -97.079505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7193&lon=-97.0795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT ON TRAFFIC PATROL WATCH WAS OBSERVED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE CRASH AT LOW ALTITUDE DOING SLOW FLT AND FLYING ERRATIC PRIOR TO ACFT STALLING ANS SPINNING INTO APT BUILDING NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49831](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49831-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 15281347, built 1978 (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: 15281347
- Airframe hours: 3929
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Dynamics
- Registered owner: David E. Arledge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1985, 97 hours before
- Departed: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 646 total, 191 in this make and model, 516 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 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 19850410011909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850410011909A), Apr 10, 1985: Cessna 152, Arlington, TX, Destroyed. Stalled and spun while circling low on traffic watch. Impacted second story of apartment building.

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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