# NTSB NYC84LA292: Cessna 152II, N5545L, Mercer, PA, August 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1984, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Mercer, PA
- Coordinates: 41.220355, -80.230514 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2204&lon=-80.2305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA292

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - clearance (cause)
  - maintenance - improper (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM BALLARD FIELD THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE ACFT STRUCK A POWER LINE DURING DESCENT, ABRUPTLY LOSING AIRSPEED, AND THEN STRIKING THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE SPARK PLUG GAPS WERE TOO WIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5545L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5545L-1985-01-22), registration cancelled 1985-01-22, S/N 15284348 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152II
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284348
- Airframe hours: 1453
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Condor Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 1983, 18 hours before
- Destination: 8G7, ZELIENOPLE, PA
- Airport: 22PN, Ballard Fld.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,384 total, 94 in this make and model, 3,873 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840821074929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840821074929A), Aug 21, 1984: Cessna 152, Mercer, PA, Substantial damage. Poor climb rate, precautionary landing. Hit utility line, impacted ground. Bottom spark plugs lead fouled.

## Other investigations on N5545L (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 CHI83LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA155), Mar 30, 1983: Cessna 152 (N5545L), Mansfield, OH, 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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