NTSB Factual Report

On June 18, 1994, at 1500 eastern daylight time, N4833B, a Cessna 152, collided with the ground during initial climb at Mac Airport, Mohawk, New York. The certificated flight instructor received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The personal flight was being operated under 14 CFR 91. The flight originated in Brookline, New Hampshire on June 17th. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The intended destination was New Hampshire.

The pilot had flown to Riverside, New York, on the 17th to attend a family occasion scheduled for the next day. A witness reported that the pilot took off from the runway and at about 200 feet above the ground, the pilot made a "sharp, steep bank, left turn...I became concerned about the sharp turn in that weather at that low altitude." The witness reported that it was at least 90 degrees and that the pilot did not use the entire runway, he also stated that pilots normally fly out beyond route 49 before making a much wider turn. The pilot flew over to Mohawk where he met his father and took him for an 8 minute flight in the traffic pattern. According to the pilot's father, who is also a pilot, "...during that flight I did not notice any mechanical problems with the plane."

There were several witnesses who saw the pilot take off on runway 31. One of the witnesses stated that the airplane was airborne about 1000 feet down the 2300 foot long, grass strip. The witness reported that the airplane continued to climb to about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, and the airplane made a steep left turn. He stated that the airplane was heading in an easterly direction and descending in a nose down attitude. The airplane impacted the ground and the wreckage came to rest oriented on a magnetic heading of 110 degrees.

The accident occurred during the hours of daylight, at 43 degrees North and 75 degrees West.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a flight instructor certificate with single engine land rating. According to FAA records, the pilot's total flight time listed by him on his last FAA medical certificate was "over 1200 hours of flight time."

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The 1979 year model Cessna 152 airplane, serial no. 15283662 was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L26 engine, serial no 19782-15. According to the engine log book, the airplane had accumulated over 1209 hours of total flight time. This time was recorded on the last annual inspection that was completed on March 11, 1994. The engine had accumulated over 35 hours since major overhaul.

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The 1455 hours surface weather observation for Oneida County Airport in Utica, New York, about 19 miles west of the accident site was as follows:

Sky condition, 4000 scattered; visibility, 15 miles; temperature, 91 degrees (F); dew point, 73 degrees (F); wind condition, 280 degrees at 9 knots; and altimeter, 30.05 inches.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Examination of the accident site revealed the wreckage was oriented on a magnetic bearing of 110 degrees and the wreckage was confined within the dimensions of the airplane.

The wreckage was generally intact except for separation from impact forces to the propeller. The two bladed propeller exhibited chordwise scratching and the tips of both blades were chipped.

The cable continuity of the ailerons, rudder and elevator were confirmed. The jackscrew for the flaps was retracted, and the elevator trim was extended 2 inches. According to Cessna these positions correspond to flaps up and elevator trim 10 degrees tab up.

The engine was intact except for the propeller that was detached. All the cylinders were attached and secured to the crankcase. There was no evidence of puncture of the crankcase. All of the major engine components were attached . All the spark plugs were installed in the cylinders. The top spark plugs were removed from the cylinders and their electrodes were grayish in color.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

A Medical Examination was done by Christopher S Moser the Herkimer County Coroner in Little Falls, New York, on June 20, 1994. Toxicological tests did not detect alcohol, drugs, or carbon monoxide.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The wreckage was released to Elizabeth Nolan, the pilot's wife on August 29, 1994.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor is the pilot's overconfidence in his ability.