# NTSB MIA86LA077: Cessna 152, N772WA, Ft. Pierce, FL, February 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1986, 09:53 local (14:53 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4256° N, 80.3404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Pierce, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4256&lon=-80.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
  - carburetor heat - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS CRUISING AT 2000 FT WITH THE MIXTURE LEANED FOR CRUISE. A DESCENT TO 1000 FT WAS MADE BY REDUCING POWER. SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING OFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND MAX RPM AVAILABLE WAS 1700. THE PLT SAID HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT DID NOT SELECT CARBURETOR HEAT & HE DOES NOT RECALL WHETHER HE HAD REPOSITIONED THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO A RICHER SETTING PRIOR TO HIS DECISION TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. A DIRT ROAD WAS SELECTED & DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE, A X-WIND BLEW THE ACFT FROM THE ROAD INTO THE TREES. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE & RELATED SYST REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST ANY FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N772WA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280640
- Airframe hours: 5104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: World Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1985, 56 hours before
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 47 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 8 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 19860215002849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860215002849A), Feb 15, 1986: Cessna 152, Ft Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Engine began running rough after descent. Aircraft struck trees during landing. Did not use carburetor heat.

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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