# NTSB MIA91LA031: Cessna 152, N25053, Opa Locka, FL, November 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1990, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Opa Locka, FL
- Coordinates: 25.909225, -80.270072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9092&lon=-80.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID A FLOCK OF BIRDS, RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTOR(S) INCLUDED: ATTENTION DIVERTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED OPA LOCKA AIRPORT, OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA, VFR EN ROUTE TO AN OUTLYING AIRPORT, TO CONDUCT TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. DURING A TAKE OFF FROM THE OUTLYING AIRPORT, BIRDS ENTERED THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH ON THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID A BIRD STRIKE, WITHOUT ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25053](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25053), registered now, S/N 15280517 (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: 15280517
- Airframe hours: 5125
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kimura Toyoshi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 20, 1990, 95 hours before
- Airport: runway 9, 5,002 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 399 in this make and model, 309 as pilot in command, 139 in the last 90 days, 107 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF, 5 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 19901125065409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901125065409A), Nov 25, 1990: Cessna 152, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Avoiding birds over runway left wing struck a tree.

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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