# NTSB NYC86LA060: Cessna 152, N68214, Caldwell, NJ, January 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1986, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, NJ
- Location: 40.8392° N, 74.2770° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Caldwell, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8392&lon=-74.2770&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,flap - undetermined (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - airspeed - inadequate
  - stall/mush

## Analysis

THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PERFORMING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. ON THE THIRD TOUCH-AND-GO, THE STUDENT ROTATED THE ACFT AND INITIATED HIS CLIMB. THE CFI STATED 'I REALIZED THE ACFT WAS NOT CLIMBING AND THAT THE FLAPS WERE NOT RETRACTED EVEN THOUGH THE FLAP INDICATOR SWITCH WAS IN THE FLAP UP (ZERO DEGREE) POSITION.'  HE STATED THAT HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND RECYCLED THE FLAPS, BUT THEY REMAINED DOWN. THERE WAS A MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, A SCHOOL & A BUSY STREET AHEAD, SO THE CFI MADE A TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT. DURING THE TURN, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE ACFT WAS VERIFIED DURING THE POST ACDNT INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68214](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68214-1989-01-30), registration cancelled 1989-01-30, S/N 15282190 (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: 15282190
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mac Dan Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CDW
- Airport: DW, Essex County, runway 27, 3,720 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 747 total, 341 in this make and model, 590 as pilot in command, 321 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft unknown
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19860113000649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860113000649A), Jan 13, 1986: Cessna 152, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. The instructor reported that the flaps would not retract and the aircraft could not climb. Flap box operation okay.

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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