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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

February 26, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N48965

College Place, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 26, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
College Place, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N48965
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA066

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot intended on landing on a 2,600-foot paved airstrip. During the final approach, the airplane was high on the glide path, so the CFI placed it into a slip. As the airplane approached the runway, it continued to float above it. The CFI elected not to perform a balked landing and attempted to land the airplane on the remaining runway length. The airplane touched down on the opposite end of the runway and the CFI applied the brakes. The airplane continued to roll beyond the end of the runway onto soft terrain. It impacted a dirt berm, nosed over, flipped inverted, and was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certified flight instructor's improper in-flight decision to continue the landing attempt and not perform a go-around, her failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and her failure to apply proper remedial action. A contributing factor was the presence of a dirt bank at the end of the runway.

Full Narrative

On February 25, 1997, at 1608 Pacific standard time, N48965, a Cessna 152, operated by Walla Walla College, nosed over during landing rollout at Martin Field in College Place, Washington, and was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The instructional flight departed from Walla Walla about 1530 and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the CFI: My student and I came onto final at Martin Field, a little high. We slipped the plane down to the runway and then floated a ways. By the time we realized there wasn't enough room to land, I wasn't sure we'd be able to go around. We stuck to our "game plan". As soon as the wheels touched, the brakes were applied hard. We slowed down quite a bit by the time we came to the end of the runway, but we still ran off the end of it and into a farmers field. According to local authorities, the airplane overran the runway, continued onto soft terrain, impacted a dirt berm, nosed over, flipped inverted, and was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:08 PST
Nearest AirportMartin Field (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width35 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN48965
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data