Cessna 152 accident near Dauphin Island, Alabama, March 23, 1998
On March 23, 1998 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N24543, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dauphin Island, Alabama (Mobile Regional airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure of the pilot-in-command (CFI) to maintain directional control of the airplane following an intentional low altitude maneuver by the student. Also, altitude inadequate for recovery from the in-flight loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 1998 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Dauphin Island, Alabama · Mobile Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N24543 · registry record · serial 15280322
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While flying at 3,500 feet mean sea level, the CFI simulated an engine failure. The student initiated a descent for a forced landing to a nearby airport with assistance, and once a safe landing was assured, at 600 feet agl, the CFI advised the student to go-around. The student was slow to apply power which the CFI applied full power then as the CFI was completing communications with ATC, the student applied full left rudder and full aft elevator input. The airplane then began an incipient spin to the left which the CFI was unable to recover before impact with the water.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 378 hours in all; 190 in this make and model; 62 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 313 as pilot in command; 86 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,544 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 13, 1998; 56 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MOB Mobile AL at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from BFM, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.