Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX94LA156

ANGWIN, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N5368M

CESSNA 152

Analysis

The pilot reported that after doing several touch-and-go landings on runway 34, the active runway was changed to runway 16. After making what was described as a normal approach, the aircraft landed on runway 16. During the ground roll, the pilot noticed that the aircraft was 'pulling to the right.' His corrective action was to apply left rudder to stop the right turn. He said that this had no effect on the directional control of the aircraft and, as a final effort, he applied full left rudder. Despite his actions, the aircraft continued off the right side of the runway and down an embankment where it impacted brush and terrain causing substantial structural damage to the airframe and landing gear. The operator stated that he conducted a postaccident inspection of the aircraft and was unable to identify any mechanical discrepancies that might have contributed to a loss of control.

Factual Information

On March 10, 1994, at 1030 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N5368M, sustained substantial structural damage when the aircraft ran off the runway during the landing roll at Angwin, California. The aircraft was operated by Pacific Union College Flight Center of Angwin, California, and was on a local traffic pattern solo instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the operation. The student pilot was not injured. The flight originated on the day of the mishap at 1000 from Virgil O. Parrett Field. In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that after doing several touch-and-go landings on runway 34, the active runway was changed to runway 16. After making what was described as a normal approach, the aircraft landed on runway 16. During the ground roll, the pilot said that he noticed that the aircraft was "pulling to the right." His corrective action was to apply left rudder to stop the right turn. He said that this had no effect on the directional control of the aircraft and, as a final effort, he applied full left rudder. Despite his actions, the aircraft continued off the right side of the runway and down an embankment where it impacted brush and terrain causing substantial structural damage to the airframe and landing gear. The operator stated that he conducted a postaccident inspection of the aircraft and was unable to identify any mechanical discrepancies that might have contributed to a loss of control.

Probable Cause and Findings

the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A factor in the accident was the pilots lack of total experience.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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