# NTSB NYC92LA072: Cessna 152, N49436, Coatsville, PA, April 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1992, 11:58 local (16:58 UTC)
- Place: Coatsville, PA
- Coordinates: 39.979911, -75.809158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9799&lon=-75.8092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA072

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR ADVERSE WINDS DURING LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND SUBSEQUENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT COMPENSATE PROPERLY FOR ADVERSE WINDS IN THE LANDING PATTERN.  WHEN TURNING FINAL APPROACH, HE OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY ALIGNING WITH THE RUNWAY.  DURING THE FLARE, THE AIRPLANE BALLOONED, THE AIRSPEED DROPPED TO 45 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND STRUCK THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49436](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49436-2009-12-16), registration cancelled 2009-12-16, S/N 15281265, 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: 15281265
- Airframe hours: 7607
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hervey M. Wendle
- Registered owner: Chester County Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: W54, WESTMINISTER, MD
- Airport: 40N, Chester County, runway 29, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots, gusting 17

## 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 19920401008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920401008799A), Apr 1, 1992: Cessna 152, Coatesvilla, PA, Substantial damage. Student on solo crosscountry lost control trying to land in severe gusty crosswind. Weathervaned and stalled.

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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