# NTSB MKC85LA046: Cessna 152, N68318, Des Moines, IA, January 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1985, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Location: 41.6005° N, 93.6091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Des Moines, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6005&lon=-93.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank

## Analysis

PLT WAS INFORMED OF HOLES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY SO HE INTENTIONALLY TOUCHED OWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED A SNOWBANK WHICH PARALLED THE RWY AND THE ACFT NOSED INTO THE SNOWBANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68318-1999-10-28), registration cancelled 1999-10-28, S/N 15285325 (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: 15285325
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jones Aviation Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5C8, RUNNELLSES, IA
- Airport: 5C8, Jones Field, runway 31, 2,580 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 17 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 19850108010389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850108010389A), Jan 8, 1985: Cessna 152, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Solo student landed on side of runway to avoid gopher holes. Left main contacted snowbank. Aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N68318 (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 CHI98LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA060), Dec 14, 1997: Cessna 152 (N68318), Waukegan, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's not identifying unsuitable terrain (snowbank) in the landing area, and his not selecting the proper touchdown point. A factor was the snowbank.

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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