# NTSB MKC90LA009: Cessna 152, N4904B, St Louis, MO, October 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1989, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: St Louis, MO
- Coordinates: 38.649864, -90.52938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6499&lon=-90.5294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA009

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CFI RATED PILOT, OCCUPYING THE LEFT SEAT, SAID THAT HE WAS GETTING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN THE TAILWHEEL CONFIGURED AIRCRAFT, FROM THE PRIVATE PILOT/OWNER, WHO WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT.  ON ABOUT THE 5TH TOUCH-AND-GO, IN GUSTING CROSSWINDS, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.  BOTH PILOTS CLAIMED THE OTHER PILOT WAS PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC).  THE LEFT SEAT PILOT DID NOT HAVE ENDORSEMENT OR CURRENCY IN TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4904B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4904B-2026-02-10), registration cancelled 2026-02-10, S/N 15283699, built 1979 (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: 15283699
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Sigman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: SUS, ST LOUIS, MO
- Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St Louis, runway 8L, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SUS, 1 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 19891016040749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891016040749A), Oct 16, 1989: Cessna 152, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Ground looped landing tail wheel aircraft in gusty crosswind.

## Other investigations on N4904B (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 NYC85LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA012), Oct 22, 1984: Cessna 152II (N4904B), Wappinger Falls, NY, 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.

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