Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC95LA038

ANCHORAGE, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N67563

CESSNA 152

Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT TO PREPARE A STUDENT PILOT FOR A PRIVATE PILOT CHECK-RIDE, THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT WERE CONDUCTING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. ON THE THIRD LANDING, THE STUDENT UNDERSHOT THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A 30 INCH SNOW BERM, ABOUT 15 FEET FROM THE THRESHOLD OF THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID ABOUT 200 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY.

Factual Information

On March 25, 1995, at 1254 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 152, N67563, collided with a snow berm at the arrival end of runway 33 at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight to Anchorage, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Sky Pro Aviation, Palmer, Alaska, received substantial damage. The certificated flight instructor (first pilot) and a student pilot (second pilot) were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, about 1130. The flight instructor reported that the second pilot was preparing for a private pilot check-ride and was conducting touch-and-go landings at Merrill Field. During the third landing on runway 33, the student undershot the approach end of the runway and struck a 30 inch high snow berm, about 15 feet from the threshold of the runway. The nose wheel collapsed and the airplane slid about 200 feet down the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) examined the airplane. He reported that the airplane received damage to the firewall, right flap, and left aileron.

Probable Cause and Findings

A FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LANDING APPROACH. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY TOUCH-DOWN POINT, AND A SNOW BERM AT THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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