# NTSB FTW85FA180: Cessna 152, N68303, Franklin, LA, April 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1985, 02:11 local (08:11 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, LA
- Coordinates: 29.799648, -91.509086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7996&lon=-91.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,generator - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,electric relay - loose (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT CRASHED INTO A CRAWFISH POND DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS AS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC AND STATED THAT HIS ALTERNATOR WAS OUT. WITH CENTER HELP, ALTERNATOR WAS RESTORED AND PLT CONT'D FLT. 2.3 HRS LATER, OBVIOUSLY LOST, THE PLT CALLED MAYDAY STATING HIS ALT WAS OUT, LOW ON GAS AND HE WAS LOSING RADIOS. AT THAT TIME, HE WAS 37 NM NE OF ACDT SITE AND WELL NORTH OF COURSE. ALT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY LOOSE PIN IN ALT TO ALT CTL UNIT CONNECTOR, WHICH DROPPED ALT EXCITATION FLD. PLT HAD EXPERIENCED ALT PROBLEM ON PREV FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68303](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68303-1985-07-15), registration cancelled 1985-07-15, S/N 15282241 (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: 15282241
- Airframe hours: 2324
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Perry Flying Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: BPR, BEAUMONT, TX
- Destination: PTN, PATTERSON, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 197 total, 69 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 30 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 19850413014479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850413014479A), Apr 13, 1985: Cessna 152, Franklin, LA, Destroyed. Landed in pond and cartwheeled after fuel exhaustion. NR1 alternator connector pin missing. Caused elect failure.

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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