Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW99LA151

MARIETTA, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N89854

Cessna 152

Analysis

The 123-hour private pilot lost control of the aircraft after encountering 'porpoising' while landing on a 3,250 foot turf runway. The pilot added power to attempt to abort the landing; however, the pilot failed to release the brakes. The airplane collided with the airport's perimeter fence and trees.

Factual Information

On May 25, 1999, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N89854, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near Marietta, Oklahoma. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Delta Aeronautics, Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Meacham International Airport, near Fort Worth, Texas, at 1500. According to personnel at the airport, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane while performing touch and go landings on runway 17 at the Love County Municipal Airport, near Marietta, Oklahoma. The operator stated that following a normal landing on the 3,250 foot turf runway, the airplane "porpoised a couple of times and the airplane went off the left side" of the 35 foot wide runway. The 123-hour pilot stated that he applied engine power in an attempt to abort the landing; however, he failed to release the brakes. In the narrative portion of the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that soon after he added power to abort the landing, he realized "that the distance between [the] aircraft and the obstacles was very short," so he reduced engine power. The airplane collided with the airstrip's perimeter fence and trees adjacent to the airstrip. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the right wing and the fuselage sustained structural damage.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's loss of control due to his improper recovery from a bounced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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