# NTSB SEA90LA113: Cessna 152, N64845, Reno, NV, June 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1990, 14:57 local (21:57 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.479927, -119.740982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4799&lon=-119.7410&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 October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41222/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF AN INAPPROPRIATE RUNWAY.  THE GUSTY TAILWIND AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE WERE FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN ON RWY 16R, HE WAS AWARE OF A QUARTERING TAILWIND. AFTER TAKEOFF AND APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AGL, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AS THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE PITCHED UP THEN DOWN TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WINDS WERE FROM 300 DEGREES AT 11 KT GUSTING TO 20 KT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64845](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64845-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 15281451, 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: 15281451
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: C & J Of Nevada
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: RNO, Reno Cannon, runway 16R, 10,002 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 44 total, 44 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: RNO

## 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 19900627022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900627022699A), Jun 27, 1990: Cessna 152, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff with strong gusty quartering tail wind. Crashed on runway.

## Other investigations on N64845 (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 LAX97FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA148), Apr 6, 1997: Cessna 152 (N64845), S. Lake Tahoe, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's collision with mountainous terrain due to his failure to follow published high density altitude departure procedures during climb out, and route selection which exceeded the airplane's…

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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