# NTSB BFO87LA023: Cessna 152, N6558L, Woodbridge, VA, February 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1987, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Woodbridge, VA
- Coordinates: 38.679668, -77.310142 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6797&lon=-77.3101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ATTEMPTING THE LAST OF 3 FULL STOP LANDINGS. THE LANDING WAS MADE AT MINIMUM AIRSPEED. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE WHERE AFTERWARDS THE L MAIN GEAR HIT A SNOWBANK ALONGSIDE THE RWY. A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OCCURRED AND THE ACFT NOSED DOWN IN THE SNOW. THE STUDENT STATED THAT THE INSPECTION PLATE BEHIND THE RUDDER PEDALS WAS BENT UP AND MAY HAVE INTERFERED WITH HIS L-FOOT AS HE TRIED TO STEER THE ACFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE L. MAIN GEAR HIT THE SNOWBANK ABOUT 1 SECOND AFTER TOUCH DOWN. THE STUDENT IS A PRIVATE PILOT; HOWEVER HE WAS RESTRICTED TO STUDENT PRIVILEGES PENDING A FAA MEDICAL FLIGHT BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE VISION IN HIS LEFT EYE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6558L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6558L-1990-08-27), registration cancelled 1990-08-27, S/N 15284435 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284435
- Airframe hours: 3608
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Woodbridge Airport Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: W22, WOODBRIDGE, VA
- Airport: W22, Woodbridge, runway 19, 2,250 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,662 total, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## Other investigations on N6558L (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 BFO89LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA032), Apr 25, 1989: Cessna 152 (N6558L), Manassas, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE SLIGHT CROSSWIND AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

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.