# NTSB MKC90LA022: Cessna 152, N6449M, Toledo, IA, November 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1989, 18:30 local (Nov 7, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, IA
- Coordinates: 41.989612, -92.579971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9896&lon=-92.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA022

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTATED AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION, AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - landed at wrong airport - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SOLO, NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND MISTAKENLY ARRIVED AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. SHE TRIED TO ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WITHOUT SUCCESS, THEN ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE TO THE EAST OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 35, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD LOGGED 1.3 HOURS OF NIGHT DUAL INSTRUCTION AND THIS WAS HER FIRST SOLO NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6449M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6449M-2018-03-27), registration cancelled 2018-03-27, S/N 15284733, built 1980 (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: 15284733
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Guetzlaff,Robert W.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: AMW, AMES, IA
- Destination: MIW, MARSHALTOWN, IA
- Airport: 8C5, Toledo, runway 35, 1,873 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 33 total, 26 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DSM, 60 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 19891106044339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891106044339A), Nov 6, 1989: Cessna 152, Toledo, IA, Substantial damage. Off course at night,tried to land at unlighted airport and struck powerline on final.

## Other investigations on N6449M (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 WPR16FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA002), Oct 5, 2015: Cessna 152 (N6449M), Cedar City, UT, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the pilots to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.

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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