# NTSB MIA92FA045: Cessna 152, N49278, Naples, FL, December 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1991, 09:04 local (14:04 UTC)
- Place: Naples, FL
- Location: 26.1505° N, 81.7953° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Naples, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1505&lon=-81.7953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INCAPACITATION DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED CARDIOVASCULAR EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - incapacitation(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING WESTBOUND AT POINT IT WOULD ENTER TRAFFIC PATTERN ON DOWNWIND LEG. THE ACFT SUDDENLY NOSED OVER, ROTATED TO THE LEFT SLIGHTLY, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. CUT TREES INDICATED IMPACT SPEED NEAR 145 KNOTS. NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF ACFT STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROLS , OR ENGINE WERE FOUND. NO EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECTS WAS NOTED. POST MORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE 78-YEAR-OLD PILOT INDICATED HE HAD ARTERIOSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49278](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49278-1992-03-19), registration cancelled 1992-03-19, S/N 15281219 (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: 15281219
- Airframe hours: 2180
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce R. Suiter
- Registered owner: Bruce R. Suiter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1991, 62 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,145 total, 825 in this make and model, 1,120 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APF, 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 19911213056259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911213056259A), Dec 13, 1991: Cessna 152, Naples, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On apparent downwind leg for landing nosed over into vertical dive and crashed into trees.

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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