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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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July 26, 1982 · Cessna 120 · N2902N

Niles, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Niles, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N2902N
Operator
Scott Riggenbach
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA273

THE STUDENT WAS ON HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT IN EVENING HOURS. REPORTEDLY, AFTER HE HAD COMPLETED 4 LANDINGS, DUSK WAS APPROACHING AND THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIM TO MAKE ONLY 2 MORE LANDINGS. WHEN THE STUDENT WAS ABOUT READY TO TAKEOFF ON HIS 6TH PATTERN, A KING AIR CALLED ON A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH. BY THE TIME THE KING AIR LANDED AND THE STUDENT TOOK OFF, IT WAS DUSK AND DARKNESS WAS APPROACHING. DURING THE LAST LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED, AND ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, IT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT INTO THE GRASS, THEN NOSED OVER. THE INSTRUCTOR, WHO WAS MONITORING THE FLIGHT, BELIEVED THAT THE APPROACHING DARKNESS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MISHAP.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT WAS ON HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT IN EVENING HOURS. REPORTEDLY, AFTER HE HAD COMPLETED 4 LANDINGS, DUSK WAS APPROACHING AND THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIM TO MAKE ONLY 2 MORE LANDINGS. WHEN THE STUDENT WAS ABOUT READY TO TAKEOFF ON HIS 6TH PATTERN, A KING AIR CALLED ON A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH. BY THE TIME THE KING AIR LANDED AND THE STUDENT TOOK OFF, IT WAS DUSK AND DARKNESS WAS APPROACHING. DURING THE LAST LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED, AND ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, IT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT INTO THE GRASS, THEN NOSED OVER. THE INSTRUCTOR, WHO WAS MONITORING THE FLIGHT, BELIEVED THAT THE APPROACHING DARKNESS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MISHAP.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:15 EDT
Nearest AirportJerry Tyler Memorial (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN2902N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorScott Riggenbach
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind250° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data