# NTSB ATL95LA076: Cessna 152, N25502, Fuquay-Varina, NC, April 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 1995, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Fuquay-Varina, NC - Location: 35.6202° N, 78.7001° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTHERN WAKE RGNL (5W5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6202&lon=-78.7001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3545/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA076 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED A WIND CONDITION WHICH CAUSED THE APPROACH AIRSPEED TO DROP TO 45 MPH. AS THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY, IT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO THE GRASS; THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE STUDENT PILOT. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 1995, at 1350 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N25502, veered off the runway during a landing attempt and collided with a dirt embankment, at the South Raleigh airport in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. The training flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. The solo, cross country flight departed Greensboro, North Carolina, at 1330 hours. The student pilot reported that, while on final approach, he experienced a wind condition which caused the airspeed to increase from 65 mph to 85 mph, and a subsequent drop in airspeed to 45 mph. During the landing on runway 16, the airplane touched down on the right main landing gear and veered off the runway. According to the operator, the airplane rolled 900 feet in the grass after departing the left side of the runway. During the students' attempts to regain control of the airplane, he applied full power, and did not retard the throttle. According to the student, the weather briefing received before the flight departed did not forecast strong winds. After the accident, the student pilot learned that the winds were gusting to 24 knots. The student pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25502](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25502), registered now, S/N 15280698, built 1977 (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: 152-80689 - Airframe hours: 4090 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ron'S Aircraft Services - Registered owner: Ginn Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1995 - Departed: W88, GREENSBORO, NC - Destination: 5W5 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 5W5, South Raleigh Airport, runway 16, 3,004 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 40 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 15 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 30 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 19950408007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950408007389A), Apr 8, 1995: Cessna 152, Raleigh, NC, Substantial damage. Windshear on short final. Landed on runway but veered off. Collided with a ditch. Nosed over, crosswind factor. ## Other investigations on N25502 (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA92LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA154), Jul 26, 1992: Cessna 152 (N25502), Fuquay-Varina, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE WINGTIP CLEARANCE WITH BUSHES OFF THE SIDE OF THE TAXIWAY WHILE TAXIING TO TAKEOFF. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.