# NTSB NYC88LA232: Cessna 152, N94502, Windham, CT, September 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1988, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Windham, CT
- Location: 41.6998° N, 72.1570° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Windham, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6998&lon=-72.1570&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - door,exterior crew - not secured (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID SHE HEARD A POPPING SOUND DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY THE DOOR CAME OPEN. SHE TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND WHEN THAT FAILED SHE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT. SHE RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND ATTEMPTED BRAKING BUT IT WAS NOT EFFECTIVE AND THE ACFT RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE BY THE OPERATOR REVEALED THAT THE PILOT'S SEAT BELT BANGING AGAINST THE OUTSIDE OF THE PILOT'S DOOR WAS THE POPPING SOUND THAT THE PLT HEARD. EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE PILOT'S REPORT OF BRAKE DEFICIENCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94502](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94502-2023-02-27), registration cancelled 2023-02-27, S/N 15285693, built 1983 (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: 85693
- Airframe hours: 2368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: King Service Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: King Services Of Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 16, 1988, 33 hours before
- Departed: IAN, E TAUNTON, MA
- Destination: 5B0, WINDHAM, CT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5B0, Windham, runway 27, 4,360 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 98 total, 98 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19880901036589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880901036589A), Sep 1, 1988: Cessna 152, Willimantic, CT, Substantial damage. Hard popping sound and door opened on takeoff. Aborted late. Ran off runway end. Seat belt outside of right door.

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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