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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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August 8, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N757WL

Macon, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Macon, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N757WL
Operator
Southeastern School of Aero
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL97LA119

This was a training flight for crosswind takeoffs and landings. On the last landing, the airplane was approaching high and fast. The pilot believed there was insufficient remaining runway to land and initiated a go-around. While attempting the go-around, the airplane stalled and, according to a witness, collided with power lines and went straight into the ground. According to the pilot, the speed of the airplane was 50 to 55 knots. According to the pilot's operating handbook for the Cessna 152, the stall speed in the landing configuration is 35 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of control of the airplane due to the pilot's improperly planned approach and failure to maintain adequate airspeed.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 1997, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N757WL, collided with the ground after a go-around at the Herbert Smart Airport, Macon, Georgia. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial flight instructor sustained minor injuries, the student sustained no injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed the Herbert Smart Airport about 1430. According to the FAA, the instructor and student were conducting crosswind landings on runway 33. The student was at the controls, attempting a landing on runway 33. The instructor reported that the approach was high and fast. The instructor then took over the controls to conduct a go-around. According to the FAA, in the attempt to climb and retract the flaps, the airplane stalled and descended into a residential area. According to the pilot, they had done four take-off and landings that day before the accident occurred. When approaching on final approach, the pilot "knew we didn't have enough runway to land" and initiated a go-around. According to the pilot, the flaps were at 30 degrees. He added power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. He estimated the airspeed was 50 to 55 knots. The pilot stated during the go-around, "the airplane was not able to climb enough due to the strong crosswind". He decided to "pitch up to pass over the trees" and "the airplane stalled and [they] hit the ground". The pilot's operating handbook for the Cessna 152 states the stall speed with flaps at 30 degrees is 35 knots. A witness stated he saw the airplane come over the trees very low with the left wing down. The left wing struck a power line, and the airplane went straight into the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage, with the wing spars broken, the fuselage bent, and the firewall crushed. No mechanical malfunction was reported by the instructor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EDT
Nearest AirportHerbert Smart Downtown (1nm NNW)
Runway33
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN757WL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSoutheastern School of Aero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 11 kt, gusting 16 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data