# NTSB FTW89LA082: Cessna 152, N4870B, Addison, TX, April 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Addison, TX
- Coordinates: 32.96059, -96.830078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9606&lon=-96.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA082

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT HANDLING BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHERE SHE ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO START TO PORPOISE, AND THEN DID NOT CORRECT IT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS MAKING A LANDING DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE FAA AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT PRELIMINARY NOTICE STATED THE FOLLOWING: 'ON LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.' ON THE PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PILOT STATED: 'NOSEWHEEL COLLAPSED ON LANDING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4870B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4870B-2000-01-18), registration cancelled 2000-01-18, S/N 15283685 (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: 15283685
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Addison Flight Trng Center
- Registered owner: Dobransky Ent. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DUA, DURANT, OK
- Airport: ADS, Addison

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS

## 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 19890415008059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890415008059A), Apr 15, 1989: Cessna 152, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Porpoised on landing and collapsed the nose gear.

## Other investigations on N4870B (2)

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 FTW97LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA271), Jul 16, 1997: Cessna 152 (N4870B), Sherman, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.
- [NTSB FTW93LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA062), Jan 5, 1993: Cessna 152 (N4870B), Wichita Falls, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.