# NTSB MIA92FA017: Cessna 152, N24431, Valkaria, FL, October 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1991, 19:59 local (23:59 UTC)
- Place: Valkaria, FL
- Coordinates: 28.030408, -80.600418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0304&lon=-80.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WHILE MANEUVERING. THIS RESULTED IN THE PILOT BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED AND AN IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - instrument light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED VFR AT NIGHT WITH KNOWN EQUIPMENT DEFICIENCIES (INOPERATIVE LANDING AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS). WITNESSES REPORTED BROKEN SKY CONDITION WITH LOW LEVEL OF AMBIENT LIGHT AND NO VISIBLE HORIZON.  THE PILOT STATED AFTER TAKEOFF HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN VISUAL REFERENCE WITH ANOTHER AIRPLANE THAT DEPARTED AHEAD OF HIM, WHEN HE BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED.  THIS RESULTED IN AN UNNOTICED LOSS OF ALTITUDE IN A TURN AND AN IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24431](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24431-2000-10-25), registration cancelled 2000-10-25, S/N 15280256 (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: 15280256
- Airframe hours: 5881
- Engines: LYCOMING 0235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Silver Express
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 1991, 73 hours before
- Departed: X59, VALKARIA, FL
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 241 total, 22 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 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 19911026048049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911026048049A), Oct 26, 1991: Cessna 152, Valkaria, FL, Destroyed. Encountered spatial disorientation on climbing turn after takeoff. Descended into ground. Panel lights inoperative.

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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