Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX85FA311

MARANA, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N5204P

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE PASSENGER HAD JUST PURCHASED PROPERTY AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND INTENDED TO TAKE AERIAL VIDEO TAPE FOOTAGE OF THE PROPERTY. WITNESSES SAW THE PLT AND PASSENGER BOARD THE ACFT WITH VIDEO CAMERA AND RECORDER. AFTER DEPARTUE, THE ACFT FLEW DIRECTLY TO THE ACCIDENT SITE AND PROCEEDED TO DO STEEP BANK TURNS ABOUT 100 FT AGL. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT ABRUPTLY PITCH DOWN AND ROLL TO THE RIGHT, IMPACTING ON THE RIGHT WING TIP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT DEPARTED AT A MINIMUM OF 82 POUNDS OVER GROSS WITH THE CG AT THE AFT LIMIT. ACCORDING TO CESSNA SUPPLY DATA, THE EFFECT OF THE 82 POUND OVER WEIGHT CONDITION WOULD BE A 2.5% INCREASE IN THE PWR OFF STALL SPEED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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