# NTSB MIA88FA042: Cessna 152, N89741, Okeelanta, FL, November 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1987, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Okeelanta, FL
- Coordinates: 26.660486, -80.710281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6605&lon=-80.7103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WITH ABOUT 20 DEGS FLAPS EXTENDED. THE STATED PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO SPOT DEER & A SUITABLE AREA IN WHICH TO HUNT. TORSIONAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME SUGGESTED THAT THE ACFT WAS SPINNING AT IMPACT. WITNESSES IN THE AREA STATED THAT THERE WERE HEAVY RAIN SQUALLS & THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT NO SHOULDER HARNESS. THE PAX WAS WEARING NEITHER SEAT BELT NOR SHOULDER HARNESS & HE WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE ACFT ON IMPACT. THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HELD AN EXPIRED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME, ENGINE NOR RELATED COMPONENTS. ALL COMPONENTS NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN FLT WERE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89741](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89741-1991-03-13), registration cancelled 1991-03-13, S/N 15282849 (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: 15282849
- Airframe hours: 2610
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jet Center Rental Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Del Aire Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 22, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: X53, CLEWISTON, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 96 total, 60 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 39 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 19871119066629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871119066629A), Nov 19, 1987: Cessna 152, Okeelanta, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Appears pilot lost control of aircraft in heavy rain squall and crashed in a wildlife area. Trying to locate deer.

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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