# NTSB NYC87LA086: Cessna 152, N25498, Old Bridge, NJ, February 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1987, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Old Bridge, NJ
- Location: 40.3663° N, 74.3778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from OLD BRIDGE (3N6), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3663&lon=-74.3778&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 October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA086

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, airport personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE CESSNA 152 TOOK OFF AND AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE STUDENT PILOT WHO HAD MADE THE TAKEOFF TURNED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT OVER TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, WHO MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A DRAG STRIP PARKING LOT WHICH WAS COVERED WITH SNOW AND ICE. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED INTO A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE STUDENT PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHILE THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE MAIN FUEL STRAINER WAS DRAINED AND IT WAS NOTED THE FUEL WAS APPROXIMATELY 50% WATER. THE FUEL IN THE UNDERGROUND TANK THAT WAS USED TO FUEL THE AIRCRAFT WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FUEL OUT OF THE PUMPS WAS APPROXIMATELY 10% WATER. IN ADDITION THE FUEL FILTERS WERE DIRTY AND CONTAINED ICE CRYSTALS. THE SOURCE OF THE WATER INTO THE UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25498](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25498-2019-03-08), registration cancelled 2019-03-08, S/N 15280696, built 1977 (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: 15280696
- Airframe hours: 1634
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Old Bridge Airport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1986, 91 hours before
- Departed: 3N6, OLD BRIDGE, NJ
- Airport: 3N6, Old Bridge

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,057 total, 1,057 in this make and model, 903 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19870214021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870214021169A), Feb 14, 1987: Cessna 152, Old Bridge, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Landed in parking lot. Checked for water after service. Found water in refueling tanks.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.