# NTSB MKC89LA149: Cessna 152, N49554, St. Charles, MO, July 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1989, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Charles, MO
- Coordinates: 38.790836, -90.510139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7908&lon=-90.5101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA149

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS IN FLARING THE AIRCRAFT FOR LANDING AND COUNTERACTING THE EFFECTS OF THE CROSS-WIND ON THE DRIFTING AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT SAID THAT HE DEPARTED RUNWAY 9 IN ORDER TO PRACTICE SOME LOCAL CROSS-WIND TAKEOFFS AND LDGS. THE SURFACE WIND WAS ABOUT 10 TO 15 KNOTS AND ABOUT 70 TO 90 DEGREES FROM THE LEFT OF RUNWAY HEADING. THE ACFT BOUNCED HARD, BECAME AIRBORNE, DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LDG AS OPPOSED TO MAKING A GO-AROUND, DUE TO PROXIMITY OF PARKED ACFT ON THE RAMP. HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE ACFT TO A HALT PRIOR TO ENTERING A BORDERING CORNFIELD, BUT THE RIGHT WING HIT THE CORN FIELD CAUSING THE ACFT TO SPIN AND STRIKE THE LEFT WING ON THE TERRAIN. THE NOSE WHEEL ENCOUNTERED A SMALL GULLEY AND THE ACFT FLIPPED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49554](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49554-1992-02-19), registration cancelled 1992-02-19, S/N 15281310 (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: 15281310
- Airframe hours: 2441
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: St Charles Flying Service
- Registered owner: Kluten Kamper, Brian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: 3SQ, ST CHARLES, MO
- Airport: 3SQ, St. Charles, runway 9, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 53 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 8 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 19890703019519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890703019519A), Jul 3, 1989: Cessna 152, St Charles, MO, Substantial damage. Bounced back into air on crosswind landing,drifted downwind,into cornfield and nosed over.

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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