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NTSB Report
October 16, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N4904B
St Louis, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
St Louis, MO
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4904B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC90LA009
THE CFI RATED PILOT, OCCUPYING THE LEFT SEAT, SAID THAT HE WAS GETTING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN THE TAILWHEEL CONFIGURED AIRCRAFT, FROM THE PRIVATE PILOT/OWNER, WHO WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT. ON ABOUT THE 5TH TOUCH-AND-GO, IN GUSTING CROSSWINDS, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. BOTH PILOTS CLAIMED THE OTHER PILOT WAS PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC). THE LEFT SEAT PILOT DID NOT HAVE ENDORSEMENT OR CURRENCY IN TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.
Full Narrative
THE CFI RATED PILOT, OCCUPYING THE LEFT SEAT, SAID THAT HE WAS GETTING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN THE TAILWHEEL CONFIGURED AIRCRAFT, FROM THE PRIVATE PILOT/OWNER, WHO WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT. ON ABOUT THE 5TH TOUCH-AND-GO, IN GUSTING CROSSWINDS, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. BOTH PILOTS CLAIMED THE OTHER PILOT WAS PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC). THE LEFT SEAT PILOT DID NOT HAVE ENDORSEMENT OR CURRENCY IN TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSpirit Of St Louis (0nm N)
Runway8L
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4904B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 10 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:34
Weather SourceWFAC