# NTSB MKC88LA081: Cessna 152, N25038, Dexter, MO, April 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1988, 22:00 local (Apr 29, 1988, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Dexter, MO
- Coordinates: 36.789199, -89.960762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7892&lon=-89.9608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING FLT, THE CFI SAID HE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE RPM. HE MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE APT, WHEN HE HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE ON A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST FLIGHT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL NOR FUEL SUPPLY FAILURES. CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO PREVENT THE POWER FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25038](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25038-1988-12-09), registration cancelled 1988-12-09, S/N 15280511 (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: 15280511
- Airframe hours: 5203
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Nick'S Aircraft Sales, Inc.
- Registered owner: Nick'S Aircraft Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 12, 1988, 73 hours before
- Departed: MAW, MALDEN, MO
- Destination: PAH, PADUCAH, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 787 total, 450 in this make and model, 570 as pilot in command, 306 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 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 19880428015079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880428015079A), Apr 28, 1988: Cessna 152, Dexter, MO, Substantial damage. Had a night forced landing on climb to cruise. Nosed over on landing. Carburetor icing conditions existed.

## Other investigations on N25038 (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 CHI78DEV21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DEV21), Mar 5, 1978: Cessna 152 (N25038), Peoria, IL, 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.