# NTSB NYC87LA008: Cessna 152, N49427, Haverhill, MA, November 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1986, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Haverhill, MA
- Location: 42.7762° N, 71.0773° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Haverhill, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7762&lon=-71.0773&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON AN APPROVED SOLO X-COUNRTY FLT WHEN HE BECAME LOST. HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING AT AN ARPT 10 SM AWAY FROM HIS ARPT OF INTENDED LANDING. REALIZING HE WAS HIGH ON HIS FIRST APCH, HE MADE A GO-AROUND. WHILE MAKING A 360 DEG TURN WITH FULL POWER AND PARTIAL FLAPS, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE RIVER. THE ACFT SANK IN THE RIVER. A WITNESS SAID THE ACFT LOOKED LIKE IT STALLED INTO THE RIVER. WHEN THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED THE THROTTLE WAS FOUND IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION, MIXTURE WAS RICH AND THE CARB HEAT WAS OFF. THE EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49427](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49427-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 15281258, built 1978 (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: 15281258
- Airframe hours: 2784
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger L. Atwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1986, 44 hours before
- Departed: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Destination: 2B2, PLUM ISLAND, MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MA04, Haverhill, runway 24, 1,620 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19861103053299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861103053299A), Nov 3, 1986: Cessna 152, Haverhill, MA, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled while circling the airport and impacted a river. Student failed to retract flaps on go around.

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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