# NTSB MKC85LA150: Cessna 152, N5116P, La Porte City, IA, July 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1985, 20:20 local (Jul 5, 1985, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: La Porte City, IA
- Coordinates: 42.309112, -92.189437 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3091&lon=-92.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD THE PROPER AIRSPEED WHEN IT WAS ON FINAL APCH ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE RWY. HOWEVER, HE REPORTED THAT IT QUICKLY LOST 500 FT, LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN A CORN FIELD BESIDE THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5116P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284879
- Airframe hours: 1971
- Engines: LYCOMING O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Guetzlaff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1985, 485 hours before
- Airport: 6C8, Nichols, runway 26, 2,060 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 235° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850704029799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850704029799A), Jul 4, 1985: Cessna 152, La Porte City, IA, Substantial damage. High on final, added more flaps and misjudged glidepath. Landed short of runway on top of sunken barrel markers.

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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