ATL94LA174

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Linden, TN · September 21, 1994

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 21, 1994, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
Place
Linden, TN
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N5525PCessna 152
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 27, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19940921029789A
Case key
3447

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the rudder which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in command
Rudder - improper use ofPilot in command
OverrunLanding - roll
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - tree(s)
Nose overLanding - roll

Analysis

The private pilot was conducting a touch and go landing. After touch down, the flaps were retracted and power was added for the go-around. The engine hesitated, then provided normal power. As the speed of the airplane increased, it began veering left. Right rudder was applied without result. The pilot then cut the power as the airplane overran the left side of the runway, continued down an embankment, struck trees, and nosed over. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the engine and continuity of the flight controls. There was evidence of side loading on the outboard side of the right main tire.

Factual narrative

On September 21, 1994, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5525P, overran the runway and nosed over during landing at the Perry County Airport, Linden, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by Middle Tennessee State University under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules (VFR). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed for the solo, instructional, cross-country flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Murfreesboro, Tennessee, about 1435, on the same day.

According to the pilot's report, he was conducting a touch and go landing. After touch down, the flaps were raised and full power was added. The engine hesitated, then developed power normally. As the speed of the airplane increased, it began to veer left. Right rudder was applied with no effect. As the airplane continued to turn left the pilot "cut off" power. The airplane then veered off of the runway's left side, traveled down an embankment, hit trees, and nosed over. A mechanic for the operator stated that there was evidence of side loads on the right main tire.

The airplane was examined later, revealing that there was continuity of the flight controls. The spark plugs looked new and the magneto leads all sparked. There was continuity of the engine, cylinder compression, and fuel was present up to the carburetor. The engine controls operated normally. The air filter was clean and the gaskets were in place.

Aircraft

Registration
N5525P
Reported as
Cessna 152
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15284966
Airframe hours
5,993
Engine
Lycoming O-235-L2C, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Middle Tn State U.
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Limited (Special); Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
Last inspection
Annual · May 23, 1994 · 93 hours before
Departed
MBT · Murfreesboro, TN
Destination
MBT · TN
Flight plan
VFR
Airport
M15 · Perry County, runway 18, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
20
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
68 total · 68 in this make and model · 3 as pilot in command · 5 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
110° at 7 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
81 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
BNA, 63 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.