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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 1, 1998 · Cessna 152 · N89074

Culpeper, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Culpeper, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N89074
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD98LA088

According to the student pilot, as he began the takeoff roll on runway 4, the airplane started to yaw to the left. He said the throttle was at full power, and he corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, onto the grass, struck a ditch and nosed over. He reported over 30 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours in make and model, and 7 hours of solo flight experience. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. The reported weather at the time of the accident was winds from 020 at 10 knots with wind gusts to 14 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A related factor was wind gusts.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 1998, at 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N89074, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during the takeoff roll at the Culpeper County Airport, Culpeper, Virginia. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, as he began the takeoff roll on runway 4, the airplane started to yaw to the left. He said the throttle was at full power, and he corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, onto the grass, struck a ditch and nosed over. The pilot reported over 30 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours in make and model, and 7 hours of solo flight experience. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. The reported weather at the time of the accident was winds from 020 at 10 knots with wind gusts to 14 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 EDT
Nearest AirportCulpeper Co (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length4002 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN89074
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 10 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data