# NTSB NYC84FA157: Cessna A152, N8135L, Bethlehem, PA, May 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1984, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Bethlehem, PA
- Coordinates: 40.659053, -75.390556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6591&lon=-75.3906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA157

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE SPINNING FROM LOW ALT. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES DOING AEROBATICS AT LOW ALT. AT THE TOPOF LOOP OR VERTICAL CLIMB THE ACFT DID A HAMMERHEAD STALL UNDER POWER AND WENT INTO A SPIN. IT APPEARED TO ONE WITNESS AS IF THE PLT WAS GOING TO RECOVER BUT IT RESTALLED AND HIT THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION FORTHE PLT AND HIS TIME IN TYPE WAS VERY LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8135L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1520827
- Airframe hours: 2599
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pennsylvania Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: James A. Neville
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1984, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 142 total, 2 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE

## 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 19840502015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840502015069A), May 2, 1984: Cessna A152, Bethlehem, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aerobatics low altitude. Spun out of hammerhead stall. Recovered but accelerate stall and spin occurred. Impacted.

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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