# NTSB MIA89LA227: Cessna 152, N49938, Pensacola, FL, August 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.389625, -87.369499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3896&lon=-87.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA227

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND ENSURE THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS ADJUSTED PROPERLY FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - elevator trim - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF DUE TO REPORTED LOSS OF ENG POWER & ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RWY. THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELLED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH FALLEN TREES, THEN NOSED OVER. THE ENG WAS RUN & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED & NO CONTAMINANTS WERE FOUND. THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS POSITIONED FULL NOSE DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49938](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49938-2002-10-07), registration cancelled 2002-10-07, S/N 15281405, built 1978 (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: 15281405
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ferguson Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Airport: 82J, Ferguson, runway 18, 3,630 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 475 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PNS

## 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 19890820033759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890820033759A), Aug 20, 1989: Cessna 152, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff landed on end runway ran off into logs and nosed over. Found trim nose down. No engine defects.

## Other investigations on N49938 (1)

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 MIA84LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA022), Oct 28, 1983: Cessna 152 (N49938), Milton, FL, substantial damage

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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