# NTSB NYC90LA203: Cessna 152, N24894, Provincetown, MA, August 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1990, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Provincetown, MA
- Location: 42.0597° N, 70.1705° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Provincetown, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0597&lon=-70.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA203

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.  PROBABLE FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES, AND HIS LACK OF PROPER CERTIFICATION (QUALIFICATION) FOR THIS FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT & AN OBSERVER WERE ENGAGED IN A FISH SPOTTING MISSION.  WITNESSES ON A BOAT OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MANEUVER & THEN ENTER INTO A SPIN.  IT IMPACTED IN THE WATER BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RECOVER.  BODIES OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE FOUND SEVERAL WEEKS LATER.  A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ETHANOL LEVEL OF 34 MG/ML (O.O34%), BUT NO ALCOHOL WAS FOUND IN HIS URINE.  THE BLOOD/ALCOHOL WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM PUTREFACTION.  THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT REPORTED THE PILOT HELD A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE & WAS ENDORSED FOR CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT; HOWEVER, A SEARCH OF THE FAA AIRMAN & MEDICAL RECORDS REVEALED NO CURRENT STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE/MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24894](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24894-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 15280437, 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: 15280437
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Mike Bello
- Registered owner: Alton Emery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: 2B1, MARSTON MILLS, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: unknown; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900828037029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900828037029A), Aug 28, 1990: Cessna 152, Provincetown, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Unlicensed pilot with observer for fish spotting stalled in a steep turn and spun into bay.

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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