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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

August 30, 1995 · Cessna 152 · N68969

Martinsburg, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Martinsburg, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N68969
Operator
Professional Pilots
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO95LA091

DURING A SOLO TRAINING FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. ON THE SECOND LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED TWICE AND BEGAN TO DRIFT LEFT OF CENTERLINE. THE STUDENT PILOT DECIDED TO GO AROUND AND ADDED FULL POWER. AT THIS TIME, THE LEFT DRIFT INCREASED AND THE AIRPLANE LEFT THE RUNWAY. AS THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ON THE ROUGH TERRAIN, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS NOT AIRBORNE. HE PULLED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE AND BEGAN TO BRAKE HEAVILY. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES 100 FEET LEFT OF THE RUNWAY.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing/aborted landing sequence. A related factor is the student pilot's lack of total flight experience.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 1995, at 1544 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68969, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing attempt at Eastern West Virginia Regional/Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, West Virginia. The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The local solo instructional flight originated from Eastern West Virginia Regional/Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, West Virginia, at 1500. The student pilot departed the class "D" airspace for a local solo training flight. Upon return, the student pilot requested touch and go landings. On the second landing attempt, the airplane bounced twice and the student pilot decided to go around. The student pilot stated that the airplane had already begun to drift left and as full power was added, the left drift increased rapidly. After the airplane veered off the runway, it began to bounce on the rough terrain. The pilot stated that in the excitement of the moment he forgot to push the carburetor heat knob in ("off" position) and to raise the flaps to the full up position. When the pilot realized that he was not airborne, he pulled the throttle to idle and began to brake heavily. The airplane impacted a tree located 100 feet left of the runway and abeam the 2000 foot remaining marker. During an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the student pilot stated that the engine and flight controls responded normally the entire flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:44 EDT
Nearest AirportEastern West Virginia Reg (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN68969
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorProfessional Pilots
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data