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September 16, 1996 · Cessna 152 · N5120H

San Carlos, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Carlos, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5120H
Operator
Aerleon Flight Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA337

The pilot was beginning a night VFR flight, and only 9 percent of the moon was illuminated. The pilot knew that the runway lights were inoperative. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's landing light failed, and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The pilot was unable to maintain runway alignment, and the airplane went off the left side of the runway. The airplane then encountered soft terrain, and the nose landing gear collapsed.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff with the runway lights inoperative, and his failure to maintain runway alignment during an aborted takeoff, after failure of the landing light. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, inoperative runway lights, failure of the landing light, and the encounter with soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 15, 1996, at 1930 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N5120H, drifted off the left side of the runway during the takeoff roll at San Carlos Airport, San Carlos, Arizona, and collapsed the nose gear. The pilot was beginning a visual flight rules personal flight to Prescott, Arizona. The airplane, registered to and operated by WGL, Inc., d.b.a. Aerleon Flight Services, North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on September 20, 1996, that the airport's runway lights were inoperative. He said that during the takeoff ground roll the airplane's landing light failed. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway. The airplane's nose gear collapsed when the airplane entered the soft terrain adjacent to the runway. According to astrological data obtained from a computer generated Sun and Moon Information program, at the time of the accident, sunset ended at 1831 and the end of twilight was at 1856. The altitude of the sun was -13 degrees (below the horizon) and the altitude of the moon was 7.7 degrees (above the horizon). Only 9 percent of the moon was illuminated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 MST
Nearest AirportSan Carlos (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length7335 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5120H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAerleon Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data