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NTSB Report
September 1, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N25799
Tiptonville, TN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Tiptonville, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25799
Operator
Dyersburg Avionics
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA207
THE PLT MADE A NGT TAKEOFF FM AN ARPT ON LEVEL TERRAIN IN A SPARSELY POPULATED AREA. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A GROUP OF TREES ABOUT 1/3 MI FROM THE DEP END OF THE RWY & SLIGHTLY LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. IT REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 225 FT BEYOND THE TREES, THEN CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD LAST LOGGED NIGHT FLT EXPERIENCE ABOUT 16 MONTHS EARLIER. HE HAD OBTAINED A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FROM A CFI, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ACDNT. THE CFI RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD DEMONSTRATED A TENDENCY TO MAKE SHALLOW CLIMBS AFTER TAKING OFF. THE CFI, WHO WAS ACQUAINTED WITH THE PLT, EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT THE PLT HAD DEVELOPED THE TENDENCY WHEN HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN ACFT WITH POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES, HIS HABIT OF MAKING SHALLOW CLIMBS AFTER TAKEOFF, HIS LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE, AND THE TREES.
Full Narrative
THE PLT MADE A NGT TAKEOFF FM AN ARPT ON LEVEL TERRAIN IN A SPARSELY POPULATED AREA. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A GROUP OF TREES ABOUT 1/3 MI FROM THE DEP END OF THE RWY & SLIGHTLY LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. IT REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 225 FT BEYOND THE TREES, THEN CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD LAST LOGGED NIGHT FLT EXPERIENCE ABOUT 16 MONTHS EARLIER. HE HAD OBTAINED A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FROM A CFI, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE ACDNT. THE CFI RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD DEMONSTRATED A TENDENCY TO MAKE SHALLOW CLIMBS AFTER TAKING OFF. THE CFI, WHO WAS ACQUAINTED WITH THE PLT, EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT THE PLT HAD DEVELOPED THE TENDENCY WHEN HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN ACFT WITH POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:30 CDT
Nearest AirportReelfoot Lake (1nm NNW)
Runway1
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25799
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDyersburg Avionics
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 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:49
Weather SourceWFAC