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NTSB Report
September 10, 1990 · Cessna A152 · N4649A
Tucson, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna A152
Tail Number
N4649A
Operator
Double Eagle Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90FA320
THE 218 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT AND A FRIEND DEPARTED THE AIRPORT IN AN AEROBATIC CESSNA A152 WITH PARACHUTES. THEY PROCEEDED TO THE WEST PRACTICE AREA WHERE RADAR RECORDED THE AIRCRAFT MANEUVERING. THEY FAILED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED TWO DAYS LATER IN THE WEST PRACTICE AREA. AN EXAM REVEALED IT HAD IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 75 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS ROTATING ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED ABOUT 15 HOURS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION IN A BELLANCA 7GCA AND LESS THAN AN HOUR IN A CESSNA 152. NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT HE HAD PERFORMED AEROBATIC FLIGHT SINCE HE HAD COMPLETED THE TRAINING ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RECOVER FROM A SPIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THERE WAS ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM AN INADVERTENT OR INTENTIONAL SPIN, AND HIS LACK OF RECENT EXPEREINCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.
Full Narrative
THE 218 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT AND A FRIEND DEPARTED THE AIRPORT IN AN AEROBATIC CESSNA A152 WITH PARACHUTES. THEY PROCEEDED TO THE WEST PRACTICE AREA WHERE RADAR RECORDED THE AIRCRAFT MANEUVERING. THEY FAILED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED TWO DAYS LATER IN THE WEST PRACTICE AREA. AN EXAM REVEALED IT HAD IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 75 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS ROTATING ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED ABOUT 15 HOURS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION IN A BELLANCA 7GCA AND LESS THAN AN HOUR IN A CESSNA 152. NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT HE HAD PERFORMED AEROBATIC FLIGHT SINCE HE HAD COMPLETED THE TRAINING ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:22 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A152
Tail NumberN4649A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDouble Eagle Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC