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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 1, 2008 · Cessna 152 · N64938

El Cajon, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
El Cajon, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N64938
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA090

The student was on a solo flight to practice touch-and-go landings. He said he made six successful landings, but noticed that the winds were increasing. On the seventh approach, the winds were variable and started to gust. The student said that he maintained 55 knots as he came over the approach end of the runway. The airplane suddenly drifted to the left side of the runway. He used ailerons, and corrected to the centerline. The airplane touched down hard, and bounced. After the airplane came to rest, he saw smoke and fire, and evacuated from the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty, crosswind conditions, and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed.

Full Narrative

On April 1, 2008, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N64938, experienced a hard landing at Gillespie Field, El Cajon, California. Fly CFA LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during a post crash fire. The local instructional flight departed Gillespie about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student was on a solo flight to practice touch-and-go landings. He made six successful landings, but noticed that the winds were increasing. On the seventh approach, he stated that the winds were variable and started to gust. The student said that he maintained 55 knots as he came over the approach end of the runway. The airplane suddenly drifted to the left side of the runway. He used ailerons, and corrected to the centerline. The airplane touched down hard, and bounced. After the airplane came to rest, he saw smoke and fire, and evacuated from the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest AirportGillespie Field (0nm)
Runway27L
Runway Length2738 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN64938
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time22:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data