Cessna 152 N4794P

Summary

On 17 November 2002 at about 19:44 local time, a Cessna 152 registered N4794P, operated by National Aviation Services, Inc., was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one died. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 November 2002 at 19:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.0425, -96.0278

Aircraft

Cessna 152

Registration

N4794P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

National Aviation Services, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA041

1 person died.

The dual student's intentional suicide by exiting from the airplane during descent. A contributing factor was the psychological condition of the dual student.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

When the private pilot scheduled the instructional flight, he stated that he had an ear operation and needed to see how his ears would feel at altitude before he went for an FAA medical certificate. He also stated that he was contemplating doing some aerial photography, and wanted to see how the aerial visibility was from the airplane during turns at altitude. He flew the airplane to an altitude of 9,500 feet msl where he opened the left window, stated that he wanted to check his ears, and requested that the CFI fly the airplane. The private pilot made two request for the CFI to increase the angle of bank. Subsequently, the flight instructor increased the turn to 45-degree bank and started a 300 to 500 foot per minute descent rate. The CFI heard a "noise that sounded like maybe the seat belt hitting the side of the [air]plane" and the CFI looked to his left and saw the private pilot exiting the airplane. The CFI noticed the #1 radio was already tuned to 121.5 MHz (emergency frequency). The CFI notified the controller that the private pilot had exited the airplane. The CFI landed the airplane without incident. Examination of the aircraft restraint system and the left cabin door did not reveal any discrepancies. Evidence and statements obtained by friends and co-workers of the private pilot indicated an ongoing treatment for depression and a recent intent to take his own life by using an aircraft. A note found in the private pilot's vehicle stated in part: "I'm tired of being depressed. I've been this way for almost 2 months. I'm about ready to do anything to stop feeling this way."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.