Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX93LA269

VAN NUYS, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N714UW

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. DURING THE LANDING PHASE, THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE BALLOONED AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND STALLED ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

Factual Information

On June 29, 1993, about 1034 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N714UW, crashed during touch and go landings at Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight in the local area when the accident occurred. The airplane operated by Sussex Aviation, Van Nuys, California, was substantially damaged. The non-certificated student pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Van Nuys about 0930 hours. The pilot reported that he was conducting solo touch and go landings to runway 16L. During the approach phase of the landing, the aircraft ballooned up and the pilot decided to go around. The pilot added power at about 20 feet above the ground and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane then stalled and descended to the ground, veering off the left side of the runway. The pilot held a student pilot certificate that was endorsed for solo operations in the accident airplane on April 19, 1993. The pilot's medical certificate, issued on February 1, 1993, is a first class certificate and contained the limitation that the pilot must wear correcting lenses while exercising the privileges of his airman certificate. According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, his total aeronautical experience consists of about 63.2 hours, of which 59.7 were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model.

Probable Cause and Findings

A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A GO-AROUND MANEUVER, SUBSEQUENT IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTIONS AND AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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