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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 12, 2016 · Cessna 152 · N47259

Shirley, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Shirley, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 152 (1979)
Tail Number
N47259
Operator
Mars Aerospace
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
GAA16CA124

The pilot reported that on his second landing he felt a "small" impact just before touchdown, and then the airplane pitched down and skidded to a stop. The pilot further reported that after the airplane came to a stop, he observed smoke coming from the lower left side of the cowling just forward of the firewall. As a result of the post-impact fire that ensued, the airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported that he observed evidence of where the airplane's nose wheel impacted a snow berm located on the approach to the runway. He estimated that the snow berm was about five feet high and about twenty feet wide. The airport manager reported that about four inches of snow accumulated on the ground prior to the accident, but that almost all of the snow had been plowed from the runway. He further reported that the accident airplanes nose gear impacted a snow berm that was about 10 feet off the end of the runway, and about 28 inches high. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while landing, which resulted in a collision with a snow berm, nose gear collapse, and postimpact fire.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that on his second landing he felt a "small" impact just before touchdown, and then the airplane pitched down and skidded to a stop. The pilot further reported that after the airplane came to a stop, he observed smoke coming from the lower left side of the cowling just forward of the firewall. As a result of the post-impact fire that ensued, the airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported that he observed evidence of where the airplane's nose wheel impacted a snow berm located on the approach to the runway. He estimated that the snow berm was about five feet high and about twenty feet wide. The airport manager reported that about four inches of snow accumulated on the ground prior to the accident, but that almost all of the snow had been plowed from the runway. He further reported that the accident airplanes nose gear impacted a snow berm that was about 10 feet off the end of the runway, and about 28 inches high. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EST
Nearest AirportBrookhaven (1nm NNE)
Runway24
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN47259
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMars Aerospace
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 3 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data