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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

June 28, 1998 · Cessna 152 · N25858

Pottstown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 28, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pottstown, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25858
Operator
Pottstown Flight School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC98LA137

The student pilot was doing a three-point landing while on his third touch-and-go landing during the flight . The airplane had been converted to a tailwheel configuration. According to the student, he drifted to the left and added right rudder. It did not seem effective, so he applied right brake. The airplane made a hard right turn, the left main landing gear separated, and the airplane spun approximately 140 degrees to the left before coming to rest.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's excessive application of the right brake, resulting in a ground loop.

Full Narrative

On June 28, 1998, about 1300 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 152, N25858, was substantially damaged during a practice landing at the Pottstown Limerick Airport (PTW), Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was equipped with a "Texas Taildragger" conversion. According to the student pilot's statement, he made three uneventful takeoffs and landings. On the fourth landing, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear, then bounced, then touched down again on all three wheels. It drifted to the left side of the runway, so the student pilot applied right rudder. When he felt the rudder was ineffective, he applied right brake. The left main landing gear broke, and the airplane spun to its left. The student pilot did not recall if he removed the power that was applied after the first bounce, nor did he recall inputs made with the yoke. The student pilot's instructor was watching from the ground and observed the student pilot make a three-point landing. He stated: "Within seconds after touchdown, it appeared [the student pilot] was having a directional control problem, and for some reason applied heavy right brake, which forced the airplane to execute a hard right turn." While in the right turn, the left main landing gear separated, the left wing struck the ground, and the airplane spun on the runway about 140 degrees before coming to rest.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPottstown Limerick Airprt (0nm)
Runway10
Runway Length3371 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25858
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPottstown Flight School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data