# NTSB NYC90LA006: Cessna 152, N69169, Sterling, MA, October 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1989, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, MA
- Location: 42.4259° N, 71.7929° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at STERLING (3B3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4259&lon=-71.7929&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA006

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO INADVERTENT RETRACTION OF THE WING FLAPS DURING A GO AROUND.

## 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)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT IN THE CESSNA 152, RETURNED FOR LANDING. HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 34 WITH A VARIABLE CROSSWIND FROM 340-250 DEGREES AT 10-15 KNOTS. HE SAID HE HAD LANDING FLAPS (30 DEGREES) AND THEN STARTED TO DRIFT RIGHT. HE SAID HE ADDED FULL POWER FOR A GO AROUND, TRIED TO RETRACT THE WING FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES, HOWEVER, THEY CAME UP ALL THE WAY AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, STRIKING THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69169](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69169-2017-12-07), registration cancelled 2017-12-07, S/N 15282523, 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: 15282523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fuller Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Fuller Aviation Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: 3B3
- Airport: 3B3, Sterling, runway 34, 3,010 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °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 19891007039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891007039419A), Oct 7, 1989: Cessna 152, Sterling, MA, Substantial damage. Drifted in crosswind on final began go around. Dumped flaps nose high stalled and struck approach end of runway.

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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