# NTSB BFO85LA066: Cessna 152, N757MP, Gaithersburg, MD, June 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.139297, -77.210594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1393&lon=-77.2106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER NOT OBTAINING SURFACE WIND INFO AND NOT OBSERVING THE WIND SOCK, THE STUDENT PLT ENTERED FINAL APCH WITHOUT OBSERVING ANY SIGNIFICANT DRIFT. WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT NOSE-UP ATTITUDE. IT FLOATED AND STOPPED DESCENDING FOR A FEW SECONDS. SUDDENLY, THE PLT HEARD LOUD WHIPPING NOISES AND OBSERVED THE RIGHT WINGTIP CONTACTING THIN BRANCHES OF SMALL TREES. THE PLT MADE A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT. THE ACFT DID NOT ASCEND, BUT AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THE RIGHT WINGTIP WAS FREE OF THE TREES AND THE ACFT RAPIDLY YAWED TO THE LEFT. AFTER ALIGNING WITH THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE, THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS CONTACTED THE RWY AT A NEARLY LEVEL ATTITUDE AND THE ACFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N757MP), registered now, S/N 15279851, 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: 15279851
- Airframe hours: 2670
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tss Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1984, 250 hours before
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 14, 4,235 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850630077639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630077639A), Jun 30, 1985: Cessna 152, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. Student oblivious of wind condition drifted on flare. Wing hit small trees. Began go around got free. Landed.

## Other investigations on N757MP (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 NYC91LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA037), Nov 25, 1990: Cessna 152 (N757MP), Indian Head, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS DECISION TO LAND WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING TO STOP THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERRUN.

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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