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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 2, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N89242

Plymouth, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N89242
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD97LA105

The student pilot departed the area to practice maneuvers. On his return, the winds had increased, and he performed a go-around during his first approach. During his second approach to land on runway 33, the airplane touched down hard, bounced, veered off the right side of the runway, and nosed over. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 22 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine, and that he used runway 33 as that was the only open runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot. A related factor was the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On August 2, 1997, at 1020 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N89242, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, Plymouth, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight. A flight plan was not filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot said he was on a local, solo flight. He left the area for about 20 minutes to practice ground reference maneuvers. On his departure, the wind velocity was about 4 knots. However, on his return, the reported winds were from 270 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 22 knots, so he performed a go-around. During his second approach to land on runway 33, the only open runway, the airplane touched down hard, bounced, veered to the right, and nosed over. According to the Chief Flight Instructor, soon after the pilot departed, the winds increased from the southwest. He said that the southwest runway was closed for construction, and he became concerned about several solo flights that had been dispatched earlier, so he called the pilots over the Unicom frequency for them to return. By that time, the maximum wind, maximum gusts, and crosswind limitations were above the pilot's capability. The pilot had over 33 hours of total flight experience, including 25 hours in make and model. He reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 EDT
Nearest AirportPlymouth Municipal (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length2501 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN89242
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 13 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data