# NTSB MIA98LA077: Cessna 152, N25952, Georgetown, SC, February 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 10, 1998, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, SC - Coordinates: 33.360843, -79.28955 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3608&lon=-79.2896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA077 ## Probable cause the pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from an unsuitable area of roadway, following a forced landing after the engine had lost power, due to fuel exhaustion; and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions, while attempting the takeoff. The obstructions (sign and telephone pole) were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - roadway/highway - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign (contributing factor) - object - utility pole (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During a previous flight, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot made a forced landing in a field. The aircraft was not damaged. After purchasing fuel at the local airport and placing the fuel in the aircraft, the pilot attempted a takeoff on a road. The left wing of the aircraft struck a sign during the takeoff roll, and the aircraft veered to the left. The left wing then struck a telephone pole, and the aircraft came to rest. A postcrash fire consumed the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On February 10, 1998, about 1405 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N25952, registered to Air Chesterfield, Inc., collided with a sign and a telephone pole while attempting to take off from a road near Georgetown, South Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personnel flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the private-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that en route to Charleston, South Carolina, from Richmond, Virginia, with one passenger, the engine sputtered and lost power, in the area of Georgetown. He made a successful landing in a field and let the aircraft roll out onto a dirt road at the end of the field. He caught a ride to the Georgetown Airport and bought fuel. After adding the fuel to the aircraft, he started the engine and performed an engine runup. Everything checked out fine. The passenger was to catch a ride to the Georgetown Airport, about 20 miles away, and he taxied the aircraft to a paved road and attempted to take off to fly there and pick up the passenger. During the takeoff roll, the left wing struck a sign, causing the aircraft to veer to the left. The aircraft then struck a utility pole and came to rest. A postcrash fire erupted destroying the aircraft. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector after the accident, "he couldn't believe he did something so stupid like this, on top of running out of fuel." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25952](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25952-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N 15280878, built 1977 (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: 152280878 - Airframe hours: 5392 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Chesterfield, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1997, 75 hours before - Destination: GCE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 65 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CHS, 35 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 19980210001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980210001119A), Feb 10, 1998: Cessna 152, Georgetown, SC, Destroyed. During takeoff from a paved road after refueling, aircraft struck sign, veered off road and struck pole. Caught fire. (.4)the pilot's decision to attempt a… ## Other investigations on N25952 (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 MIA79DLD18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DLD18), Nov 18, 1978: Cessna 152 (N25952), Silver Springs, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.