# NTSB NYC90LA172: Cessna C-152A, N4870A, Yellowsprings, OH, July 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1990, 20:34 local (Jul 26, 1990, 00:34 UTC)
- Place: Yellowsprings, OH
- Coordinates: 39.679313, -83.940856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6793&lon=-83.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA172

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRPLANE AFTER PREMATURELY BECOMING AIRBORNE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A ROUGH FIELD AND A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ENROUTE TO AN AIRPORT THAT WAS UNFAMILIAR AND LANDED AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE GRASS STRIP AND THE AIRPLANE HIT A BUMP HIDDEN IN THE TALL GRASS. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY. THE PILOT STATED HE MAINTAINED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AND AS THE AIRPLANE CAME CLOSE TO A TREELINE THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4870A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4870A-1995-07-25), registration cancelled 1995-07-25, S/N A1520902 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-152A
- Registry model: [Cessna A152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a152) (registry code 2071836) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1520902
- Airframe hours: 2598
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flying Neutrons, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 3, 1989

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 144 total, 62 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900725028489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900725028489A), Jul 25, 1990: Cessna A152, Louisville, OH, Substantial damage. Landed at unmowed,tall grass strip by error. Tried to take off,catapulted into air nose high on a hump and stalled.

## Other investigations on N4870A (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL80FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FA096), Sep 13, 1980: Cessna 152 (N4870A), Bluefield, WV, substantial damage

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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