# NTSB FTW90LA017: Cessna 152, N4973B, Thibodaux, LA, October 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1989, 14:18 local (19:18 UTC)
- Place: Thibodaux, LA
- Coordinates: 29.790634, -90.82048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7906&lon=-90.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA017

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN ABORTED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND THE DITCH WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A NORMAL LANDING. DURING THE FLARE, THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE, THE RIGHT WHEEL TOUCHED ON THE RUNWAY, & THE LEFT WHEEL TOUCHED IN THE GRASS. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER FOR A GO-AROUND. WITH THE NOSE HIGH, THE AIRPLANE FLEW 40 TO 50 YARDS AT 6 FEET AGL, THEN IT YAWED TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING TOUCHED DOWN, THEN THE AIRPLANE ROTATED TO THE LEFT & WENT THROUGH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4973B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4973B-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 15283733, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283733
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gulf Air Enterprises, Inc.
- Registered owner: Houma Air Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: LA37
- Airport: LA37, Thibodaux Muni, runway 8, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

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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