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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

November 15, 1998 · Cessna 152 · N89101

Caldwell, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Caldwell, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N89101
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD99LA016

The student pilot practiced flight maneuvers for approximately 2 hours during the local solo flight. During landing on runway 27, the pilot said a gust of wind lifted the airplane to a nose high pitch attitude. Full power was applied to abort the landing but the airplane would not climb. The airplane descended and collided with terrain. The student pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. Winds were reported to be from 300 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 20.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student's pilot's inadequate climb and his failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance. A related factor was the wind gusts.

Full Narrative

On November 15, 1998, at 1146 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N89101, was substantially damaged after a loss of control during landing at the Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo instructional flight that originated at CDW, at 0950. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot said the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers for a flight evaluation he had scheduled for later in the month. He departed the traffic pattern, flew to a local training area, completed the planned training, and returned for landing on runway 27. The pilot said that prior to departure he obtained weather information from DUATS, Flight Service, and the local ATIS. He said: "Everything went fine. I went out and did all my training. When I came back, conditions were different, they were gusty. My approach speed was 60, but my ground speed was significantly slower. When I touched down, a gust lifted me. I tried to do a full power go around, but the plane wouldn't climb. It just descended. When I added full power, the nose was too high - it wouldn't climb - it just veered to the right and stalled. The gust gave it a nose high pitch. I had 30 degrees of flaps in, which may have been too much flaps for that kind of a gust." When questioned about the airworthiness of the airplane, the pilot said, "The airplane performed fine, I had no problems with the airplane at all." The pilot reported approximately 145 hours of total flight experience; 45 hours of which were solo. Winds reported at the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:46 EST
Nearest AirportEssex County Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length3721 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN89101
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 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:04
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data