# NTSB WPR18LA135: Cessna 152, N6198Q, Tamiami, FL, May 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 3, 2018, 22:41 local (May 4, 2018, 02:41 UTC) - Place: Tamiami, FL - Coordinates: 25.795, -80.569725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7950&lon=-80.5697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 97190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97190/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA135 ## Probable cause The non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of control during an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to depart on the flight without obtaining approval to fly at night in accordance with company policy. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: clouds](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-instrumented-rated pilot and pilot-rated passenger, who also did not hold an instrument rating, departed on a local flight and were expected to return before dark; however, they flew to another airport, where they refueled and departed on the return flight in night conditions. While en route, the airplane encountered instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot lost control of the airplane, which subsequently impacted terrain. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The operator reported that company policy stated that pilots were prohibited from flying at night without explicit permission from the chief or assistant chief pilot; the accident pilots did not obtain such approval. Whether the pilot obtained weather information before departing on the flight was not determined. Although the restricted visibility conditions were conducive to the development of spatial disorientation, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether it played a role in the sequence of events. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions. ## Factual narrative May 3, 2018, about 2241 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6198Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tamiami, Florida. The noninstrument-rated private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Neither of the pilots onboard provided statements regarding the accident. The operator reported that the pilots departed Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, about 1700 for a local flight and were expected to return before dark (about 1900). After flying to Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida, they refueled and departed on the return flight in night conditions. During the flight, they encountered instrument meteorological conditions and lost control of the airplane. The airplane entered a spin, from which they recovered, then entered another spin. After recovering from the second spin, the airplane collided with terrain. The operator reported that company policy precluded pilots from flying at night without explicit permission from the chief or assistant chief pilot; the accident pilots did not obtain such approval. The 2153 weather observation at the destination airport located about 11 miles northwest of the accident site, included wind from 130° at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 1,800 ft above ground level (agl), and scattered clouds at 25,000 ft agl. The next observation at 2253 revealed few clouds at 1,800 and 3,300 ft agl and scattered clouds at 25,000 ft agl. Satellite imagery depicted a cloudy area near and over the accident location. Whether the pilots obtained weather information before departing on the flight could not be determined. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6198Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6198Q-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 15285190, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES) - 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: 15285190 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 19984.2 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dean International Inc. - Registered owner: Rob Wes Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 2018 - Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL - Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 195 total, 195 in this make and model - Pilot-rated passenger; age 22; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 75 total, 75 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KTMB, 11 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 20180503004559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180503004559A), May 3, 2018: Cessna 152, Miami, FL, Destroyed. PIC pilot statement taken at kendal regional medical center: [privacy data omitted] Stated he was the pilot in command (PIC) from lakeland (lal) to Miami… 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.