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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 19, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N52491

Mitchellville, MD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 19, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mitchellville, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N52491
Operator
Robert E Wehmann
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO90LA013

AFTER FLYING ABOUT 1/2 HR IN THE LOCAL AREA, THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED. HE THEN TAXIED BACK TO THE APCH END OF THE RWY & INITIATED ANOTHER TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT HE APPLIED FULL POWER & FULL RPM WAS OBTAINED. ALSO, HE STATED THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT 60 TO 65 KTS, BUT WOULD ONLY CLIMB ABOUT 10 FT. HE WAS UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT, THE ACFT WOULD CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY, SO HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF (ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY). DRG THE ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE. SUBSEQUENTLY, ITS NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS RPRTD.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

AFTER FLYING ABOUT 1/2 HR IN THE LOCAL AREA, THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED. HE THEN TAXIED BACK TO THE APCH END OF THE RWY & INITIATED ANOTHER TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT HE APPLIED FULL POWER & FULL RPM WAS OBTAINED. ALSO, HE STATED THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT 60 TO 65 KTS, BUT WOULD ONLY CLIMB ABOUT 10 FT. HE WAS UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT, THE ACFT WOULD CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY, SO HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF (ABOUT 1/2 TO 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY). DRG THE ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE. SUBSEQUENTLY, ITS NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS RPRTD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportFREEWAY (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2420 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN52491
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert E Wehmann
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data