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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 31, 1993 · Cessna 152 · N5115B

Corpus Christi, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Corpus Christi, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5115B
Operator
Taylor Thomas E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN93LA094

THE PILOT SAID HE WANTED TO TAKE SOME AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF FRIENDS ON THE BEACH AND HE MADE SEVERAL PASSES AT THE GROUP. HE REPORTED THAT ON THE LAST PASS, ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING ENSUED. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT SAND. THE PASSENGER SAID THE PILOT WAS 'SHOWING OFF' AND 'THE NOSE DROPPED.' A WITNESS SAID THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO STALL. THE ENGINE WAS LATER FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL BUZZING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE BEACH.

Full Narrative

On July 31, 1993 at approximately 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5115B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 18 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated in his pilot/operator report that he wanted to take some aerial photographs of friends on Padre Island and he made "several circuits around the group." On the last circuit, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing on the beach. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear sank into the soft sand and the airplane nosed over. The passenger submitted an affidavit in which he said the pilot was "showing off a bit, doing high rates of turns at low altitude and at slow speeds." He further stated that during one of the turns, the "nose dropped" and the pilot "couldn't get the nose up." The pilot "tried to increase the throttle and increase the flaps. Because of the increase in the flaps, the speed of the plane decreased further and the plane thus lost further altitude and crashed into the sand dunes." According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the scene, witnesses stated that the the airplane appeared to stall at low altitude before striking the ground. One witness said he heard the engine sputter and saw dark smoke coming from the exhaust. The engine was later examined and the lower spark plugs were found to be glazed and had excessive lead deposits. The engine was functionally tested and operated satisfactorily.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5115B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTaylor Thomas E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data