FTW86FA023

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Arcadia, LA · November 2, 1985

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report

Date: November 2, 1985, 12:47 local (18:47 UTC)
Place: Arcadia, LA
Injuries: 2 fatal
Damage: Destroyed
Phase of flight: Enroute
Aircraft: N93527Cessna 152
Weather: Instrument (IMC) · Day
Status: Completed
Report: Approved by Office Director
Case key: 21877

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Airframe/component/system failure/malfunctionCruise - normal

Flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - failure,totalCause

Flight into known adverse weather - continuedPilot in command(cfi)Cause

Operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improperPilot in command(cfi)Cause

Not performedPilot in command(cfi)Cause

Artcc service - disregardedPilot in command(cfi)Cause

In flight collision with objectDescent - normal

Object - tree(s)Factor

Proper altitude - not maintainedPilot in command(cfi)Cause

Atc clearance - disregardedPilot in command(cfi)Cause

Self-induced pressurePilot in command(cfi)Cause

Weather condition - low ceilingFactor

Visual/aural detectionPilot in command(cfi)Cause

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The instrument flight instructor and student experienced a directional gyro failure. They covered the instrument and requested a return to their departure point. The aircraft was not equipped to fly the published approach. They requested a descent to an altitude below the base of the controller's radar, and disappeared shortly after. The aircraft impacted tall trees in rainshower. Witnesses reported that cloud base was at tree top level. Instruments required for partial panel flight were functional. No other discrepancies were noted.

Aircraft

Registration: N93527
Reported as: Cessna 152
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 152-85508
Airframe hours: 1,564
Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C, 108 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Destroyed
Flight: Instructional · Part 91
Operator: Louisiana Tech University
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · May 13, 1985 · 35 hours before
Departed: RSN · Ruston, LA
Destination: IAW · Houston, TX
Flight plan: IFR

N93527Registration cancelled Sep 7, 1995 · Cessna 152S/N 15285508 Airframe modelCessna 152

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 21
Certificates: Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat: Right
Toxicology: Performed
Flight hours: 550 total · 313 in this make and model · 416 as pilot in command · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Instrument (IMC) · Day
Wind: 10° at 8 knots
Visibility: 7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Observed at: MLU, 36 nm away