# NTSB ATL93LA057: Cessna 152, N49945, Fuquay-Varina, NC, February 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1993, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Fuquay-Varina, NC
- Coordinates: 35.539237, -78.829177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5392&lon=-78.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA057

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO JUDGE A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING HIS FOURTH SOLO LANDING OF THE DAY. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ABOUT 83 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, LEFT OF CENTERLINE, AND 5 DEGREES LEFT OF RUNWAY HEADING. THE STUDENT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT BACK TO THE RUNWAY, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A RUNWAY LIGHT AND A DIRT BANK BEFORE NOSING DOWN. THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS MONITORING THE FLIGHT AND CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE STUDENT HAD LOGGED ABOUT 21 HOURS TOTAL TIME, INCLUDING ABOUT 1 HOUR SOLO TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49945](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49945-2007-11-27), registration cancelled 2007-11-27, S/N 15281408, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281408
- Airframe hours: 1829
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ron'S Aircraft Service
- Registered owner: Canup, Clyde W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 24, 1992, 87 hours before
- Departed: 5W5
- Destination: 5W5
- Airport: 5W5, Triple W Airpark, runway 34, 3,004 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 19 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 16 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930205003349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930205003349A), Feb 5, 1993: Cessna 152, Raleigh, NC, Substantial damage. Landed short and left of runway. Collided with runway light then collapsed nose gear on raised lip of taxiway.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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