# NTSB NYC89FA021: Cessna 152, N5462B, Smithfield, RI, November 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1988, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Smithfield, RI
- Location: 41.9220° N, 71.5495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smithfield, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9220&lon=-71.5495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA021

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER BEGINNING AN ASCENT FROM A LOW PASS, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL & LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM A STALL WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE 2 OR 3 LOW & SLOW PASSES OVER AN AREA NEAR THE PASSENGER'S HOME. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT BEGAN ASCENDING OVER A TREE LINE, THEN IT NOSED DOWN & CRASHED. THE PASSENGER'S HUSBAND & DAUGHTER WERE OUTSIDE THEIR HOME & SAW THE ACDNT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5462B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5462B-2003-12-03), registration cancelled 2003-12-03, S/N 15283877, built 1979 (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: 15283877
- Airframe hours: 4265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skylanes, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1988, 77 hours before
- Departed: SFZ, SMITHFIELD, RI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 196 total, 70 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PVD, 15 nm away

## 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 19881106049429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881106049429A), Nov 6, 1988: Cessna 152, Smithfield, RI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Was observed buzzing area then stalled on pullup over a wooded area. Impacted vertically.

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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