Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL94LA174

LINDEN, TN, USA

Aircraft #1

N5525P

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. AFTER TOUCH DOWN, THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED AND POWER WAS ADDED FOR THE GO-AROUND. THE ENGINE HESITATED, THEN PROVIDED NORMAL POWER. AS THE SPEED OF THE AIRPLANE INCREASED, IT BEGAN VEERING LEFT. RIGHT RUDDER WAS APPLIED WITHOUT RESULT. THE PILOT THEN CUT THE POWER AS THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, CONTINUED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, STRUCK TREES, AND NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES WITH THE ENGINE AND CONTINUITY OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SIDE LOADING ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE RIGHT MAIN TIRE.

Factual Information

On September 21, 1994, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5525P, overran the runway and nosed over during landing at the Perry County Airport, Linden, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by Middle Tennessee State University under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules (VFR). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed for the solo, instructional, cross-country flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Murfreesboro, Tennessee, about 1435, on the same day. According to the pilot's report, he was conducting a touch and go landing. After touch down, the flaps were raised and full power was added. The engine hesitated, then developed power normally. As the speed of the airplane increased, it began to veer left. Right rudder was applied with no effect. As the airplane continued to turn left the pilot "cut off" power. The airplane then veered off of the runway's left side, traveled down an embankment, hit trees, and nosed over. A mechanic for the operator stated that there was evidence of side loads on the right main tire. The airplane was examined later, revealing that there was continuity of the flight controls. The spark plugs looked new and the magneto leads all sparked. There was continuity of the engine, cylinder compression, and fuel was present up to the carburetor. The engine controls operated normally. The air filter was clean and the gaskets were in place.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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