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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 23, 1994 · Cessna 152 · N80812

Harlan, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Harlan, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N80812
Operator
Sky Harbor Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA170

THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ABORTED THE SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WHEN THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BECOME AIRBORNE AT A PREDETERMINED POINT ON THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR, THE AIRPLANE SLID SLIGHTLY ON THE WET, GRASS RUNWAY AFTER THE POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HEAVILY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE PROPELLER FROM STRIKING A FENCE LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE INSTRUCTOR STEERED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A FENCE POST, BENDING THE TAIL TO THE LEFT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES WERE REPORTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the delayed remedial action by the flight instructor. A factor related to the accident was the wet runway surface.

Full Narrative

On May 23, 1994, about 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N80812, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence post during an aborted soft field takeoff at Rushenberg Field, Harlan, Iowa. Neither the certificated flight instructor nor the commercial pilot, who was receiving dual instruction, were injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight originated from Omaha, Nebraska, without flight plan and operated in visual meteorological conditions. According to the flight instructor, once the airplane did not become airborne at a predetermined point on the runway, he aborted the takeoff roll by reducing the power to idle and applying the brakes heavily. The airplane slid slightly on the wet, grass runway, but did not stop. In an attempt to prevent the propeller from striking a fence located at the end of the runway, the instructor steered the airplane to the left. The airplane impacted a fence post, bending the tail to the left. No preimpact mechanical abnormalities were reported by either pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHarlan Municipal (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length1760 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN80812
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSky Harbor Air Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data