# NTSB SEA89LA039: Cessna 152, N49104, Puyallup, WA, January 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1989, 16:30 local (Jan 26, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Puyallup, WA
- Coordinates: 47.140007, -122.319625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1400&lon=-122.3196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA039

## Probable cause

FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE POOR APPROACH AND FLARE TECHNIQUE AND LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A FAST, FLAT APPROACH TO A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. WHEN POWER WAS INCREASED FOR THE TAKEOFF, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THIS WAS THE STUDENTS FIRST FLIGHT AFTER NOT HAVING FLOWN FOR 36 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49104](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49104), registered now, S/N 15281151 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281151
- Airframe hours: 2654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Spanaflight
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 1988, 67 hours before
- Departed: S44, SPANAWAY, WA
- Airport: 1SO, Pierce County, runway 17, 3,300 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIW, 16 nm away

## 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 19890125001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890125001239A), Jan 25, 1989: Cessna 152, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. Student landed aircraft hard and fast. Veered off runway. Students first solo in a month. Impact severed propeller.

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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