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NTSB Report
December 27, 1990 · Cessna 152 · N48918
South Boston, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
South Boston, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N48918
Operator
Virginia Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO91LA021
WHILE IN THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA AT 2,500 FT, THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. DUE TO REDUCED CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE NOTICED A DITCH IN FRONT OF HIM. STILL HOLDING FULL BACK PRESSURE ON THE YOKE, HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO FLY OVER THE DITCH. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT IMPACTED TREES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP. DURING A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE PILOT WAS TOLD THAT VFR CONDITIONS WERE FORECAST TO CONTINUE DURING HIS ANTICIPATED FLIGHT TIME. HE WAS WARNED OF A STORM APPROACHING THE AREA, BUT ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A FACTOR UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAY IN TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION WHILE ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WERE WORSE THAN FORECAST, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
WHILE IN THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA AT 2,500 FT, THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. DUE TO REDUCED CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE NOTICED A DITCH IN FRONT OF HIM. STILL HOLDING FULL BACK PRESSURE ON THE YOKE, HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO FLY OVER THE DITCH. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT IMPACTED TREES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP. DURING A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE PILOT WAS TOLD THAT VFR CONDITIONS WERE FORECAST TO CONTINUE DURING HIS ANTICIPATED FLIGHT TIME. HE WAS WARNED OF A STORM APPROACHING THE AREA, BUT ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A FACTOR UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest AirportPrivate Strip (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN48918
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorVirginia Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC