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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 16, 1983 · Cessna 152 · N6171Q

Front Royal, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Front Royal, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N6171Q
Operator
Eagle Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL83FIA04

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLT. DURING THE APPROACH TO FRONT ROYAL THE STUDENT WAS ADVISED BY UNICOM THAT A DEER WAS ON THE RWY. THE UNICOM OPERATOR SUGGESTED THAT HE BUZZ THE ARPT TO CHASE THE DEER AWAY. THE STUDENT HEARD ONLY THAT THAT A DEER WAS ON THE RWY. AS HE CONTINUED HIS APPROACH HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE DEER WAS OFF TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. THE STUDENT SPOTTED THE DEER JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. WHEN THE ACFT LANDED IT BOUNCED AND CAME DOWN HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR FOLDED BACK AND SEVERED A FUEL LINE. SPARKS FROM THE PROPELLER HITTING THE RWY, IGNITED THE FUEL. THE PILOT EXITED THE ACFT AND DID NOT TURN OFF THE FUEL. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLT. DURING THE APPROACH TO FRONT ROYAL THE STUDENT WAS ADVISED BY UNICOM THAT A DEER WAS ON THE RWY. THE UNICOM OPERATOR SUGGESTED THAT HE BUZZ THE ARPT TO CHASE THE DEER AWAY. THE STUDENT HEARD ONLY THAT THAT A DEER WAS ON THE RWY. AS HE CONTINUED HIS APPROACH HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE DEER WAS OFF TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. THE STUDENT SPOTTED THE DEER JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN. WHEN THE ACFT LANDED IT BOUNCED AND CAME DOWN HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR. THE NOSE GEAR FOLDED BACK AND SEVERED A FUEL LINE. SPARKS FROM THE PROPELLER HITTING THE RWY, IGNITED THE FUEL. THE PILOT EXITED THE ACFT AND DID NOT TURN OFF THE FUEL. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportFront Royal-Warren County (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN6171Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEagle Air
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 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data