# NTSB ATL98LA010: Cessna 152, N93286, Punta Gorda, FL, November 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1997, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.909311, -81.769798 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9093&lon=-81.7698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3943/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA010 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's improper short field takeoff procedure and his decision to abort the takeoff after rotation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - short field takeoff/procedure - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, the student was attempting a short and soft field takeoff from a 2,600-foot grass strip. After rotation, the instructor did not believe the airplane was gaining enough airspeed to clear the obstacles at the end of the runway, so he aborted the takeoff. The instructor was not able to stop the airplane before overruning the runway and colliding with a ditch. Witnesses reported that the field had been mowed the previous day and was dry. The Information Manual for the Cessna 152 indicates that the short field takeoff distance under the existing conditions and airplane configuration should have been about 1,967 feet. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 1997, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N93286, overran the end of the grass runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over at Shell Creek Airpark, Punta Gorda, Florida. The airplane was operated by Professional Aviation under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the local fight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated in Punta Gorda, Florida at 1430. According to the CFI, the student was attempting a short and soft takeoff from Shell Creek, a grass strip. The wind was light and variable. He believed the grass was about 1 foot long, and looked wet. The student rotated about halfway down the 2600 foot runway. While in ground effect, the instructor decided to abort the takeoff due to a lack of airspeed to clear the obstacles at the end of the runway. The CFI then pulled the power to idle and pitched down for landing. The instructor said, using maximum braking, the airplane was not able to stop before colliding with bushes and encountering a ditch. The airplane then nosed over. The instructor reported having no mechanical problems prior to the accident. A witness stated he saw the airplane begin its takeoff roll, and that it appeared to have 10 degrees of flaps extended. As it left his sight, the nose wheel was off the ground. Shortly thereafter, he heard the engine "suddenly pull back". He then heard a very loud noise. He stated the grass was mowed the day before, and it had not rained in over a week. Two other witnesses confirmed that the grass was dry and mowed the day before. The Information Manual for a similar make and model airplane was consulted. The manual stated that with 10 degrees of flaps, using short field technique, at a weight of 1,640 lbs., a lift off speed of 50 KIAS, pressure altitude of 2,000 feet, temperature 30 degrees C., the total take off distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle would be 1,820 feet. A dry grass runway would increase the take off distance by 147 feet, or a total of 1,967 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93286](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93286-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 15285457, built 1981 (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: 152-85457 - Airframe hours: 7242 - Engines: Lycoming O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Professional Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Stetson Air Holding Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1997, 57 hours before - Departed: PGD, FL - Airport: F13, Shell Creek, runway 36, 2,600 × 110 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 399 total, 185 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PGD, 4 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 19971120038959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971120038959A), Nov 20, 1997: Cessna 152, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. Tried depart in tall grass on short strip. Aborted late. Sled off end into bushes. Flopped over into a ditch. (-23) aircraft attempted a take off from a 2600'… ## Other investigations on N93286 (3) 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 MIA90LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA189), Sep 25, 1990: Cessna 152 (N93286), Cedar Key, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND AFTER LANDING LONG. - [NTSB MIA83LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA038), Nov 27, 1982: Cessna 152 (N93286), Plymouth, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA83LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA003), Oct 3, 1982: Cessna 152 (N93286), Orlando, FL, substantial damage 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.