# NTSB SEA86LA181: Cessna 152, N6509L, Snohomish, WA, July 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 18:15 local (Jul 28, 1986, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Snohomish, WA
- Coordinates: 47.940849, -121.999092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9408&lon=-121.9991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE AND THE PILOT ROTATED PREMATURELY. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ONTO UNEVEN TERRAIN. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS FATIGUED AND HAS LESS THAN ONE HOUR OF SOLO FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6509L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6509L), registered now, S/N 15284425, built 1980 (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: 15284425
- Airframe hours: 3065
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-M 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Snohomish Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1986, 65 hours before
- Departed: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA
- Airport: S43, Harvey Field, runway 14, 2,660 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19860727053129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860727053129A), Jul 27, 1986: Cessna 152, Snohomish, WA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Lofted off early. Settled to ground beside runway. 6 knot tailwind existed.

## Other investigations on N6509L (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 GAA18CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA177), Mar 12, 2018: Cessna 152 (N6509L), Snohomish, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind and in his failure to maintain pitch control of the airplane in gusting wind conditions.

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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