# NTSB BFO89LA041: Cessna 152, N69271, Dover Afb, DE, June 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1989, 11:08 local (15:08 UTC)
- Place: Dover Afb, DE
- Coordinates: 39.130764, -75.480857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1308&lon=-75.4809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE, IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING A GO-AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED PORPOISE, LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND AN UNCONTROLLED GROUND SWERVE.  HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE, A CROSSWIND, AND THE DITCH WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - uncontrolled
  - directional control - not maintained
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS LANDING ON RWY 19 WITH A RPRTD WIND FROM 290 DEG AT 13 KTS. HE RPRTD THAT THE APCH WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE ACFT WAS AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL, THEN IT ABRUPTLY DESCENDED & CONTACTED THE RWY. IT BOUNCED 2 OR 3 TIMES & THE STUDENT ELECTED TO GO AROUND. POWER WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE ACFT SETTLED ONTO THE RWY & TRAVELED OFF THE LEFT SIDE INTO A GRASS AREA. BEFORE THE STUDENT COULD STOP THE ACFT, IT CONTACTED A DITCH & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69271](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69271-2018-04-02), registration cancelled 2018-04-02, S/N 15282594, built 1978 (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: 15282594
- Airframe hours: 5510
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sharon Battreall
- Registered owner: Sharon Battreal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1989, 51 hours before
- Departed: DOV
- Airport: DOV, Dover Afb, runway 19, 9,600 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DOV

## 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 19890604057279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890604057279A), Jun 4, 1989: Cessna 152, Dover, DE, Substantial damage. Dropped in from 15FEET above runway. Bounced. Porpoised,tried go around,left the runway into a ditch and nosed over

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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