# NTSB FTW86FA171: Cessna 152, N5542P, Pearland, TX, September 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1986, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Coordinates: 29.550174, -95.26979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5502&lon=-95.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA171

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS CONDUCTING A PIPELINE PATROL OPERATION WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT CIRCLED THE AREA TWICE AT AN ALT ESTIMATED TO BE BELOW 100 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN BANKED LEFT AND NOSED DOWN TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5542P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5542P-1991-08-09), registration cancelled 1991-08-09, S/N 15284973 (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: 15284973
- Airframe hours: 2444
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C(M) 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Barr Air Patrol Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 250 hours before
- Departed: T41, LAPORTE, TX
- Destination: T17, HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 43 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 19860925046309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860925046309A), Sep 25, 1986: Cessna 152, Pearland, TX, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed whille circling at a low altitude during a pipeline patrol.

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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