# NTSB FTW85FA244: Cessna 152, N5097H, Bogalusa, LA, June 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1985, 06:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Bogalusa, LA
- Coordinates: 30.779008, -89.860939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7790&lon=-89.8609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA244

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dawn
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

A FEW MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THE STUDENT PLT FLEW INTO THE GROUND IN AN EFFORT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT ABOUT 1400 FT N OF RWY 18 IN APRX A 15 DEG NOSE DOWN AND 35 DEG LEFT ANGLE OF BANK. THE AFCT SLID ABOUT 80 FT WHEN IT ROTATED ABOUT IT'S RIGHT WING FLIPPING OVER 10 TO 15 FT TALL TREES COMING TO REST INVERTED APRX 110 FT FROM INITIAL IMPACT. IMPACT OCCURRED ON A SOUTHERLY TRACK HEADED TOWARD THE THRESHOLD OF RWY 18, WHICH WAS LIT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT HAD 79 HOURS TOTAL TIME, INCLUDING 3 HOURS NIGHT DUAL IN MARCH AND JUNE OF 1984. AN ACQUAINTANCE OF THE PLT STATED THAT HE DEPARTED HOME FOR THE NEARBY ARPT AT APRX 0500 CDT. SUNRISE WAS 0558 CDT. VFR AT THE NEAREST REPORTING STATION, 35 MILES SE, OCCURRED AT 0822 CDT. A FLASHLIGHT THAT WAS NOT IN THE ACFT ON THE PREVIOUS FLT WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE AND THE LANDING/TAXI LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT IMPACT. 2/10 HRS ON THE HOBBS METER ELAPSED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5097H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5097H-1991-01-30), registration cancelled 1991-01-30, S/N 15284060 (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: 15284060
- Airframe hours: 1088
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bogalusa Airport
- Registered owner: Everette Sharp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1984, 79 hours before
- Airport: BXA, George R. Carr Memorial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 79 total, 7 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCB, 35 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 19850602021639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850602021639A), Jun 2, 1985: Cessna 152, Bogalusa, LA, Destroyed. Impacted ground and trees shortly after takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions at dawn.

## Other investigations on N5097H (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW85LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA021), Oct 21, 1984: Cessna 152 (N5097H), Bogalusa, LA, substantial damage

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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