# NTSB MKC85FA137: Cessna 152, N95496, Independence, MO, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Independence, MO
- Coordinates: 39.08097, -94.34938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0810&lon=-94.3494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT AND INSTRUCTOR WERE PRACTICING PRE-SOLO LANDINGS. WHEN AIRPLANE WAS 30 FEET AGL AND ON VERY SHORT FINAL APPROACH, AIRPLANE DROPPED TO GROUND, WENT THROUGH TOP OF TWO DIKES AND TWO DITCHES, IMPACTED BANK OF SECOND DITCH AND FLIPPED FORWARD TO INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95496](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95496-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 15285906, built 1984 (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: 15285906
- Airframe hours: 216
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger E. Billings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1985, 14 hours before
- Airport: 31P, Independence Memorial, runway 17, 2,550 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 361 total, 234 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 15 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 19850623062439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623062439A), Jun 23, 1985: Cessna 152, Independence, MO, Substantial damage. Touched down short of runway after aircraft dropped from 30 feet. Struck dikes and flipped inverted in a ditch.

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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