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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

July 2, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N64954

Madera, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Madera, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N64954
Operator
Majestic Skies Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA233

The student pilot reported looking at the windsock and noted that the winds were straight down the runway, and the previous takeoffs and landings had been very smooth. He stated that the aircraft was in the initial climb when he felt a sinking sensation and the airplane began drifting off the right side of the runway. Attempts to correct the drift were unsuccessful and he elected to abort the takeoff. Following touchdown the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway, across a dirt area, and collided with a dirt berm.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 2, 1997, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N64954, veered off runway 30 and collided with an embankment during an attempted aborted takeoff at the Madera, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Fresno, California, airport at 1530. In his written report, the student pilot said he looked at the windsock and noted that the winds were straight down the runway, and the previous takeoffs and landings had been "very smooth." He reported, "after touchdown I applied full throttle and pulled up at rotation speed. . .I pulled back to 67 knots and was about 20 feet off the deck, when the plane hit a slight nose down and hard pull to the right." He said that he felt a sinking sensation and the aircraft began drifting off the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct the drift with aileron and rudder, but was unable to stop the movement. He then pulled the throttle and attempted to land. Following touchdown, the aircraft veered off the pavement, across a dirt area, and hit an embankment. In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office, the student pilot reported that on the third touch-and-go takeoff, ". . . the aircraft nose went down when the aircraft was approximately 50 feet in the air." The inspector examined the aircraft and reported that no pre-existing anomalies were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest AirportMADERA (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length4544 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN64954
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMajestic Skies Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data