# NTSB NYC91LA251: Cessna C-152 II, N48806, Blue Bell, PA, September 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1991, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Blue Bell, PA
- Coordinates: 40.140052, -75.259307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1401&lon=-75.2593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37024
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37024/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA251

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE DRIFTING TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTING WITH A WINDSOCK POLE.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR A CROSSWIND AND HIS TOTAL LACK OF FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING ON RUNWAY 24 THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS DRIFTING TO THE LEFT.  THE PILOT SAID THERE WAS A SLIGHT CROSSWIND [WINDS 240 260 AT 5 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 10 KNOTS].  AS THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT TO THE RIGHT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GO AROUND AND APPLIED FULL POWER.  AS THE AIRPLANE STARTED THE GO AROUND THE PILOT NOTED THE WINDSOCK IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND COULD NOT AVOID STRIKING THE WINDSOCK POLE WITH HIS LEFT WING.  THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 44 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48806](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48806-1994-01-11), registration cancelled 1994-01-11, S/N 15283379 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-152 II
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Kemner
- Registered owner: Charles Kemner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Winss Field, runway 24, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 40 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 12 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 19910929043609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910929043609A), Sep 29, 1991: Cessna 152, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway alignment on landing. Began go around carb heat still on. Struck windsock pole and cartwheeled.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.